4 Poisonous Animals You Might Find in your Backyard

You might think your backyard is safe, but there could be a poisonous animals lurking behind the tree or bush which could harm (and in worst cases, even kill) you. A lot of these animals might look harmless, but it’s better to be careful.

Here are a few backyard animals that could get you seriously hurt.

Death Stalking Scorpions

A venomous scorpion specie that is common in the Middle East, Asia, andAfrica. It can grow to about 10 to 12 centimeters or 4 to 5 inches. These are usually seen hiding in small burrows or under rocks. They’re very active during the night and feed on mealworms, crickets and smaller insects. Many adventurous pet owners keep these as pets, but they do have very toxic venom that can cause paralysis, convulsions, fever and pain. Sting victims need to be administered an antivenom as soon as possible.

Yellow Jackets

In the insect world, there are the bees which are usually depicted as sweet and friendly, and there are the wasps which are usually linked to a lot of painful stings. Yellow jackets have been known to give outdoor lovers a nasty surprise. They’re attracted to anything that smell sweet (from food to perfume) and even the smell of fish and meat. They also fly around garbage bins and even crash outdoor parties. A single nest can contain 500 to 5000 individuals.

Bullet Ants

Growing up in South or Central America, you’d know what these ants are capable of doing. Their bite is said to be as painful as a getting shot. Some call them the 24-hour ants since you only have a day to live once you get bitten. While their bits don’t really do any big damage, their venom can cause excruciating pain that can last for more than three hours. Nausea, perspiration, pain and paralysis to the bitten area are just a few of their venom’s effect.

Brazilian Wandering Spiders

Another South and Central America native, this spider can be seen in forest to backyards and even on cloths hangers. They are known to inhibit heavily populated areas like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil. These spiders are known to be one of the most dangerous spiders on earth because of their venom.

Although these animals may end up in your backyard, their danger to usisusually greatly exaggerated.These animals usually don’t attack or bite not unless they’re threatened. Also, you’re basically intruding their natural habitat especially if you live somewhere that was recently developed into a residential area.