From enormously big spiders to deadly venomous snakes, ferocious crocodiles, octopuses, and disgustingly overgrown earthworms, the Great Southern Land seems to have it all when it comes to nightmare fuel and creepy crawlies. We can probably all agree that some Australian animals look absolutely terrifying, but how dangerous are they really?

Around 170 snake species live in the country, 100 of which are poisonous. However, that’s not even the worst part: 21 out of the world’s 25 most venomous snakes inhabit Australia.

Snakes kill less than 3 people a year in Australia, and the number of casualties seems even smaller when you compare it to the 11,000 individuals that snakes annually kill in Asia.

If poisonous snakes don’t cause you to scream and panic, then what about spiders? More than 2,400 different species of arachnids call the Land Down Under their home.

Among them is the deadly Sydney funnel-web spider, which can end a person’s life within 15 minutes of biting them. This spider always gets into the top lists of the world’s deadliest arachnids and doesn’t mess around: if you see one, nope, right out of there!

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That’s not to say that every single spider you encounter abroad is going to be a threat to you. Fortunately, less than 50 Australian spider species pose a threat to people. Let’s also not forget that most spiders are our friends and help keep the native insect population down. 

Obviously, these tidbits of good news won’t really make Australia’s spiders any less scary to look at. Anyone with arachnophobia should probably still avoid Australia until they get over their fear of spiders and travel elsewhere for their summer vacation.

What is Australia’s Deadliest Animal?

It might come as a surprise, but Australia’s deadliest animal isn't one of its many venomous creatures. Forget the spine-chilling spiders or the fearsome crocodile. According to the NCIS (National Coronial Information System), the title of Australia’s deadliest animal goes to a far more familiar creature: the horse.

In the wild and rugged landscapes of Australia, where one might expect the most danger to come from its notorious wildlife, it’s actually horses, ponies, and donkeys that pose the greatest risk. From 2001 to 2017, horses have been responsible for the highest number of animal-related deaths in Australia, with 172 fatalities, mostly due to falls.

Cows and other bovine animals also rank high on the list, with 82 reported deaths for the same period of time, mainly through accidents rather than direct attacks. Even our loyal companions, dogs, hold a surprising rank as the third leading cause of animal-related fatalities, responsible for 53 deaths. Most victims were children and elderly people.

Meanwhile, creatures like snakes and spiders, while dangerous sometimes, have caused far fewer fatalities than one might expect.

SkyNews reported 3 shark-caused fatalities in South Australia in 2023. This number is notable as there were only 8 deaths in the previous 22 years. Meanwhile, crocodiles kill an average of 1 or 2 people every year in Australia, with a peak in 2014 when 5 crocodile-related deaths have been reported (via The Guardian). However, it’s not just animals that can harm you in Australia.

The country is also known for its giant 10-kilogram pine cones that can fall on top of you, as well as tennis ball-sized hailstones that can cause severe damage if your head is unprotected. When in Australia, it’s best to either keep looking in all directions at once in search of threats or shut your eyes and wish you were somewhere safe and sound.

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No wonder the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, beloved zookeeper and one of the bravest people in history, hails from Australia, where danger lurks around almost every corner, and you’re not sure which animal poses a threat.

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So, How Many People Are Killed by Animals in Australia?

Based on the available data, from 2001 to 2017, there were 541 animal-related deaths in Australia, with an average of 32 deaths per year. As we’ve seen, among the most deadly animals in Australia, we don’t find any exotic dangers but very familiar faces—horses, cows, and dogs—with land mammals accounting for 71% of all deaths by animals in the country.

These tragedies mainly happened on public roads (30.3%), homes (20.7%), and farms (19.2%).

What is the Most Unusual Animal in Australia?

We’ve been all about the numbers so far, but what about picking Australia’s most unusual animal? There’s no objective answer to this (there are too many weird animals in Australia), but here’s our personal favorite.

Thorny Devil Lizard is a tiny, colorful reptile covered in spiky scales, which give it a dragon-like appearance and help collect and direct water to its mouth—something this species adapted for to survive in arid environments.

Found primarily in the central deserts of Australia, the Thorny Devil Lizard has a peculiar way of walking. He moves in a slow, rocking motion that helps it escape predators and feeds almost exclusively on ants.