The world has lots of cute animals in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are harmless, but many have ways to protect themselves that can be dangerous to people. Even pet animals like dogs can have diseases or act aggressively if someone gets too close.
Slow Loris
See those big, wide eyes? These slow animals live in the treetops of Asian forests. They eat bugs, berries, and sometimes birds. But don’t be fooled by their cuteness.
Lorises are like cuddly cobras. They have glands on their elbows that produce poison, which they spread by licking. They also make their fur taste bad to predators by grooming with their poison-coated tongues. Their bite can be deadly, causing severe allergic reactions and even death.
Pandas
Giant pandas seem cuddly with their big eyes and pretty patterns, like giant stuffed toys. But don’t be tricked. They have big teeth and strong jaws made for chewing tough bamboo, their main food. They have one of the strongest bites among meat-eating animals.
Even in zoos, these cute bears have attacked and hurt people who got too close.
Moose
These big deer seem friendly and usually stay away from people without causing harm. But they’re also huge, and they might get protective if someone gets too near.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, moose cause around 52 deaths each year, not including car accidents.
Giant Anteaters
You might imagine anteaters as slow and sort of cute, mainly munching on ants. But they’re more than that.
Anteaters live in South and Central America, growing up to 7 feet long. They have sharp claws to dig into termite mounds—and sometimes, they use them on humans, too.
There have been reports of anteaters attacking people who get too close, and even causing a few deaths.
Mice
House mice may look cute with their big eyes and furry ears, like they belong in a Disney movie, but they cause many illnesses and deaths every year.
Did you know that mice are the second most common creatures on earth after humans? They also spread diseases like leptospirosis, hantavirus, salmonella, rat-bite fever, Lyme disease, typhus, and plague.
Beavers
“Rodents of Unusual Size? I don’t believe they really exist.” —The Princess Bride.
Despite their adorable appearance, beavers can be dangerous if you get too close. They’re very territorial and can get aggressive quickly. Plus, they have huge, sharp teeth that never stop growing. They use these teeth to cut down trees for their dams—or, unfortunately, to hurt humans sometimes.
In 2013, a 60-year-old fisherman from Belarus died when a beaver injured his leg badly. Beavers can also get rabies, which makes them act aggressively towards humans and other animals. So, if you spot a cute beaver building its dam, it’s best to go the other way!
Leopard Seal
Polar bears are the kings of the Arctic, but leopard seals are the rulers of the other end of the Earth.
These predators might seem friendly with their smile-like faces, but don’t be fooled. They can be deadly and have been known to attack humans. The way they hunt penguins is quite gruesome. They’re also physically intimidating, with strong jaws and flippers, and can reach lengths of up to 13 feet.
Elephants
Everyone adores elephants, don’t they? They’re massive, but since they eat only plants, we should be fine around them, right?
Well, not quite.
Elephants can reach heights of 13 feet and weigh about 6 tons. Though usually calm, they can get angry if people invade their territory. (Understandable.) Elephants cause around 500 deaths each year, mostly by stepping on or stabbing people.
Dolphins
Who doesn’t love cute dolphins, right?
Well… other dolphins, to begin with. In the wild, dolphins are said to sometimes kill baby dolphins. They also attack other sea creatures and even humans.
Dogs
The truth is tough, but sometimes, our beloved pet dogs can turn into our enemies.
According to the CDC, there are about 4.5 million dog bites every year, and 900,000 of those get infected. In 2017, thirty-nine people in the United States were killed by pet dogs. It’s sad to admit, but some dogs can be dangerous.