By many measures, mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals in the world. Conservative estimates hold mosquitoes responsible for hundreds of millions of malaria cases each year. However, mosquitoes also transmit a host of other diseases, including West Nile virus, yellow fever, and dengue fever. There's ample reason to take every possible measure to avoid mosquito bites even without

Bears are among nature's most majestic creatures, and seeing one in the wild is an unforgettable experience. Get too close, however, and your encounter with a bear can be more terrifying than awe-inspiring. Fortunately, despite humans' continued encroachment into “bear country," attacks on people are rare, and fatalities are even rarer. Still, bears are immense, powerful animals, and

Hippos seem like peaceful, lumbering animals who only graze peacefully on grass and float in water. However, despite being vegetarians, they can be a formidable danger when they feel threatened, thanks to their size, speed, and powerful jaws. The most important attitude to have is one of respect for their personal space. Avoiding their territory in the water and recognizing where to

Sharks rarely attack, but when they do, severe and sometimes fatal injuries commonly result. Scientists do not believe sharks attack humans to eat us; rather, they bite into our flesh because they are curious to find out what kind of animal we are; kind of like how dogs like to sniff new friends, only a lot more deadly. Staying out of shark habitats is the surest way to avoid getting

If by a stroke of ill fortune you come face-to-face with an angry elephant, you'll need to know how to avoid being hurt. Fortunately, most elephant charges are just “mock” charges meant to frighten you but not harm you. If facing down a charging, angry elephant, your best bet is to shout, yell, and make as much noise as you can. With these directions in mind, you'll be well prepared to

European hornets can cause damage to plants and shrubbery in your yard. If you have an infestation, how you deal with it depends on the severity and whether or not you've located a nest. Try traps and sprays and, if all else fails, hire professional assistance.

Should you ever have to encounter a jaguar on a nice trip through the tropical rainforests of South America, or due to the unfortunate bad luck of finding yourself in a jaguar enclosure in a zoo, then here are some tips you'll need to survive those big teeth and claws aimed towards you.

Sand fleas are tiny parasitic crustaceans that typically inhabit humid coastal areas. They have been known to target many different types of organisms as potential hosts, plaguing their victims with irritating bites. If left untreated, these bites can lead to more serious problems like recurrent skin conditions and even lethal infections. For this reason, it’s of the utmost importance

Geese are territorial birds and are known to chase or attack humans who disturb their territory. While geese may chase people, an actual physical attack is fairly rare. You can stop a goose's aggression by respectfully leaving its territory. Back away slowly, while remaining calm. Do not do anything that may escalate the situation, like yelling. In the event you are injured, seek

Piranhas, the "wolves of the water," are known for their ability to strip an animal to the bone in mere seconds. They aren't actually as dangerous to humans as you'd think, especially if you swim with them during the wet season, when they have plenty of food. Still, South American shoals of piranhas can be dangerous when food is scarce. If you're going to take a dip in the Amazon, read