The 14 Most Dangerous Animals In The Ocean That You Never Want To Encounter (2024)

Crocodiles

Human Deaths Per Year:Around1,000 deaths annually.

Why They’re So Dangerous:Crocs are pros at sneaking up on people, so its victims often get dragged under the water before they even realize it. Their 66 teeth (that can grow up to five inches long) are nothing to blush about and their bite is the strongest of any predator in recorded history.

The Aftermath:If you see a crocodile in the wild,run. Run in a straight line to avoid an attack, which is much rarer on land than in water. While it’s nearly impossible to fight off a submerged croc, it's vital to avoid getting dragged underwater. The most effective way to do so is to punch thepalatal valve near the back of its mouth (yes, sticking your hand in its mouth is scary, but it’s your best shot at survival).

At the point of submersion, your chances of living are slim to none as crocodiles like to drown their victims before ripping them to shreds. One way of attempting to avoid drowning is rolling in the same direction as the croc and attempting to get away before your body gets snapped.

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Box Jellyfish

Human Deaths Per Year:It's estimated that box jellyfish kill around 100 people a year, but there's no concrete data on that specific number.

Why They’re So Dangerous:Not all box jellyfish have toxic poison, but about 50 different species of the creature are venomous. Out of those, only a few are potentially lethal to humans. The most toxic offenders typically live in the Indo-Pacific area and northern Australia. Their tentacles essentially have a stockpile of poisonous darts they can whip out at any moment. Between unusual speeds, stellar eyesight for jellyfish, and tentacles that can span ten feet long, these guys are a lot scarier than most sea creatures. In fact, Australian box jellyfish are notorious for being the most venomous creature in the sea.

The Aftermath: If you have the misfortune to swim into one of the lethal jellyfish, it might be lights out. Paralysis, cardiac arrest, and fatality can happen in just minutes after a sting. And no, peeing on the affected area doesn't actually help with any jellyfish sting. Like bees, jellyfish leave their stingers in the wound, and that old wives' tale can even cause more venom to leech out. Depending on the species, vinegar and hot water can help after you get the stingers out.

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Stonefish

Human Deaths Per Year:A handful have been recorded in total, not annually.

Why They’re So Dangerous:These ugly fish look exactly like coral or rock, so you better watch out. They’re also considered one of the most venomous fish in the sea. So, what does their venom do? It just causes horrible pain, heart problems, breathing issues, paralysis, and rarely death.

The Aftermath:If you’re stung by a stonefish, you need the antivenom stat. Otherwise, you might not survive. And if you do? You could have permanent damage. That being said, there aren’t that many fatalities from stonefish. Medical help is ideal, but experts recommend submerging the affected area in hot water for 20 minutes at107.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Great White Sharks

Human Deaths Per Year:Ten worldwide in 2023.

Why They’re So Dangerous:Sorry to burst your oxygen mask bubble, but sharks are one of the least dangerous predators in the sea when it comes to humans. Yet movies like Jaws and the few annual shark attacks have made people terrified of these guys. However, the main issue is typically surfers. The juvenile sharks responsible for most human attacks don't have the best vision, so when they see a huge fin in the water, they think to themselves, “Mmmm, my next meal.” They probably thought you were a seal or something similar.

After an attack, they're usually just as displeased about the situation as you are - unless they're rabid or starving (and whose fault is it that there's less and less fish in the sea?). They'll also attack if they feel threatened, so it's a good idea not to panic and start making a ruckus in the water because then you'll register as a threat (or a fun chase).

The Aftermath: Due to their size and massive teeth, a bite from a great white is potentially lethal due to the risk of bleeding out, but a shark usually gets one taste of human blood or flesh and nopes out. That's why shark attack survivors are typically just missing one limb. Sharks don't often go back for human seconds. If a shark attack victim can get out of the water quickly enough and get immediate care, the likelihood of survival is pretty high depending on where the bite is. In fact, only around 17% of shark attacks prove fatal.

So, what's the moral of the story? If you're surfing or swimming, it's a good idea to check if there have been any sightings in the area. If so, maybe avoid that spot. If you do see a shark, immediately ditch your board no matter how expensive it is. If you do that, there's a good chance the shark will go after that instead of you. Either way, stay calm and you may just make it out in one piece.

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Tiger Shark

Human Deaths Per Year:39 deaths in total of all time.

Why They’re So Dangerous:Tiger sharks aren't particularly aggressive sharks. Still, their attack numbers are the second highest of all shark species, trailing behind great whites. Tiger sharks have incredibly strong jaws and a set of sharp teeth that make them formidable. They don't really care what they eat, making them a pretty intense predator.

The Aftermath: Given that tiger sharks aren't particularly interested in messing with humans, there aren't a whole lot of attacks to speak of. That being said, humans kill mass amounts of tiger sharks for food to the point that they're near threatened status on the endangered species list. To boot, because these guys will eat whatever they find, they often eat trash left behind by careless humans.

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Electric Eels

Human Deaths Per Year:The precise number is unknown, though it’s not common.

Why They’re So Dangerous:These big boys can grow up to eight feet long, making them pretty menacing. As their name suggests, these creatures create electric charges to injure their prey.

The Aftermath:Humans aren’t immune to the jolts of an electric eel. However, death is pretty rare. When an electric eel stings a human, it can cause trouble breathing and even heart failure. It makes sense, as that’s a common occurrence with any jolt of electricity. Drowning is the most common cause of death.