1. Box Jellyfish

There aren't many movies showing the deadly power of box jellyfish – unless you count Finding Nemo – but with up to 60 tentacles, 5,000 stinging cells on each tentacle, and enough toxins to kill dozens of people, this mysterious and deadly sea creature is responsible for up to 100 deaths per year.

2. The Red Fox

While wolves get all the blame when it comes to attacking humans, this cunning little canine could be equally dangerous, especially when coming in contact with children, whom they sometimes see as their prey.

3. White-Footed Deermouse

We may be free of the bubonic plague, and mice are generally considered harmless today. The white-footed deermouse, however, is to stay away from. Found in Canada and the Northern United States, this “cuddly” little creature carries a deadly disease known as the Hantavirus.

4. Beavers

Beavers aren't exactly the deadliest animals you'll ever see, but they can certainly be really dangerous. They are very territorial, and their habitats are being shrunk by human development. There have been quite a few cases when beavers showed us just how deadly their sharp front teeth can be when used to defend their beloved homes.

5. Catfish

Some species of catfish can be very dangerous. Even though in many cases, catfish stings are not venomous, some species, like the striped eel catfish, can actually put you between life and death - and the stings are extremely painful!

6. Hyenas

Despite their reputation as scavengers, some hyenas are actually top predators, and their biting "skills" can definitely be very dangerous. African striped hyenas, for instance, have proven to be some of the deadliest animals you will encounter (or, hopefully, you won't), even completely eating their prey – which sometimes included humans.

7. The Red-Backed Jumping Spider

This is one of the fastest jumping spiders out there, and it won't hesitate to bite you if you disturb it. The bite of a red-backed jumping spider isn't deadly, but it can certainly give you a nasty case of pain and swelling – however, note that, in some cases, the victims also experienced serious complications.

8. Wapiti

Weighing up to 1,000 pounds and boasting huge antlers, the Wapiti – or Common Elk – is definitely a threat in some areas in the North, particularly during the breeding season, when humans are often trampled or gored to death when they become too intrusive.

9. The Dingo

The dingo is Australia's equivalent to the wolf. Although light and nimble at only 40-70 pounds in weight, these slender guys are known for their bone crushing bites and ability to bring down their prey in packs. In fact, in some areas, dingoes are considered to be even much more aggressive and dangerous than a Grey Wolf, and since they are more used to human presence, they are less likely to be scared off too easily.

While humanity looks at great white sharks, killer whales or huge snakes as being some of the most dangerous creatures on earth, we might want to stay closer to home and consider some of these unlikely candidates – or make sure we stay away from them. What other surprisingly dangerous animals do you know about?

Sources
listverse.com
livescience.com
venomousspiders.net
eol.org