Although estimates vary, some sources believe that mosquitoes are responsible for up to 1 million human deaths per year, whereas snakes kill an estimated 100,000 and sharks a mere 10 (humans by the way are second behind the mosquito, causing 400,000 deaths every year).
Spreading diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya, and lymphatic filariasis, the mosquito kills more people than any other creature in the world. CDC is committed to providing scientific leadership in fighting these diseases, at home and around the world.
Mosquito (Anopheles genus)
Not only are mosquitos responsible for more human fatalities a year than any other animal (including ourselves) but their effects have shaped human history, precipitating the rise and fall of colonies and empires.
Mosquitos are by far the deadliest creature in the world when it comes to annual human deaths, causing around one million deaths per year, compared to 100,000 deaths from snakes and 250 from lions.
Dogs. Man's best friend is actually one of the world's deadliest mammals. Worldwide, dogs are responsible for about 25,000 human deaths from rabies each year resulting from maulings and bites.
But the most important fish predator, by far, is the Gambusia affinis, commonly known as the mosquito fish. This is probably the most effective predator of mosquito larvae and is used by many mosquito control agencies to augment their control efforts.
Mosquitoes
It's no surprise that mosquitoes were voted the most hated insect by 12.2% of participants. They were also voted the least popular insect in four states. Mosquitoes can cause numerous problems, from spoiling a backyard barbecue to spreading dangerous diseases like West Nile virus.
Your body stiffens, first, at your face and neck. The stiffening progresses to the trunk of your body and gradually radiates outward to your arms and legs and then your fingers and toes. Your body loosens again. A few days after death, your body's tissue breaks down, causing the stiff parts to relax again.
Mosquitoes are the most dangerous animal in the world, killing 725,000 humans per year through spreading diseases such as malaria. Only female mosquitos bite, making them the most dangerous.
Frogs, dragonflies, ants, spiders, geckos and bats, and some other animals, also eat mosquitoes. If all mosquitoes disappeared, many animals would have a lot less food. Imagine if all the rice in the world disappeared. Nobody eats only rice, but if rice disappeared tomorrow, a lot of people would have a lot less food.
In 2024, over 12 million cases of dengue have been reported in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean. Outbreaks in areas where dengue is common has increased the number of cases in travelers to those areas and may result in small outbreaks in the continental United States.
Birds, frogs, tadpoles, fish, toads, salamanders, spiders, red-eared slider turtles and many types of insects all play vital roles in keeping the mosquito population at bay. Some creatures, like the small brown bat, can catch up to 600 mosquitoes in just one hour.
We already know that mosquitoes hide from the sun and wind. Aside from yard debris, they also find refuge in tall and unkempt grass. Keeping your lawn short and trimmed regularly robs mosquitoes of their hiding place.
DEET. DEET is a reliable and highly effective insect repellent. The chemical has been in public use since 1957. The repellent is sold under numerous brand names and comes in lotion, spray and many other forms.
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Causing an estimated 500 deaths annually (as compared to only 22 for lions), hippos are deadly land mammals. This is because they are very aggressive and territorial, and have a habit of charging at boats and capsizing them.
The Australian box jellyfish is considered the most venomous marine animal. They may not look dangerous, but the sting from a box jellyfish could be enough to send you to Davy Jones's locker-a watery grave, that is.
The single, individual non-human animal known to have killed the most humans was the Champawat tiger. She killed and ate 436 humans between 1898 and 1907 in Nepal and Kumaon.
Animals (Animalia) Several species of Myxozoa (obligately parasitic cnidarians) never grow larger than 20 μm (0.020 mm). One of the smallest species (Myxobolus shekel) is no more than 8.5 μm (0.0085 mm) when fully grown, making it the smallest known animal.