Fill out your data to get our latest news and publications








    Colombia’s Famously Fearsome Animals

    Colombia is one of the world’s most diverse countries and some of our animals are famous across the globe for […]

    Colombia is one of the world’s most diverse countries and some of our animals are famous across the globe for the impressive power of their venom. Even though Colombia’s most poisonous and predatory creatures tend to dwell deep in the jungle, far from humans, it’s still worth doing everything you can to avoid these critters:

    Snakes

    Colombia is world famous for its snakes. It has six different species of snake and hundreds of sub-species, with 34 snakes that are only found in Colombia. It was once home to the titanboa, a giant 40ft snake that roamed the country shortly after the age of the dinosaurs. Nowadays Colombia has everything from harmless ground snakes to highly venomous coral snakes and pit vipers, as well as boas, such as the anaconda, which kill their prey by constriction. Luckily, our eight different boa species tend to feast on bats, birds and small mammals, rather than us.

    Snakes, colombian animals, Colombia's poisonous animals

    Photo: Wikipedia

    Spiders

    Spiders are everyone’s favorite horror creature, ever since the movie Arachnophobia showed them at their worst. Most Colombian spiders are harmless, but there are one or two it is best to avoid.  Brown recluse spiders, black widow spiders and banana spiders can all give you a nasty, toxic bite. Banana spiders tend to go for a walk at night and find their way into clothes, shoes, bedding, tents and equipment so if you are camping, it’s best to take precautions. Soldiers in Colombia’s Army stretch their socks over the tops of their boots while they sleep to avoid any unwanted stowaways.

    Colombian spiders

    Photo: Wikipedia

    Scorpions

    They may look terrifying, with their curly tails and ominous pincers, but most South American scorpions can inflict no more of an injury than your average wasp or bee sting. Except that is for one or two, which can cause severe reactions, including high fever. Colombia has two potentially deadly scorpions – Centruroides noxius and c.suffusus­. Scorpions are usually only active at night, so if you are sleeping in the wilderness, it’s worth giving your clothes a good shake in the morning.

    Colombian scorpions, Colombia's poisonous animals, Alacrán, Black scorpion

    Foto: Wikipedia

    Frogs

    Who would have thought the humble frog could do you any damage? Colombia is home to almost 800 amphibian species and most of them are beautiful, colorful and utterly harmless. But the golden poison dart frog, from Colombia’s Pacific coast, is a different story. This tiny frog is the world’s most poisonous animal, carrying enough poison in its skin to kill up to 20 humans just by touch. This creature, which comes in every color under the sun, is naturally best avoided, although scientists are testing its poison to see if it can help in the fight against Alzheimer’s, cancer and HIV. Poison dart frogs are protected and have their own dedicated reserve in Choco, Colombia.

    Colombia's poisonous animals, poisonous frogs

    Photo: Wikipedia

    If you are fascinated by the world’s most fearsome animals, the answer is Colombia. If you liked this article, please share it on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ or any of your social networks.

     

    You may also enjoy:

    Fabulous Colombian Birds

    7 Curious Colombian Animals

    Colombian insects you can eat

    4.4/5 - (137 votes)
    Artículos recomendados
    postres colombianos, queso con bocadillo, colombia, guayaba, dulce

    Five weird food combinations you will only find in Colombia

    Colombian cuisine is a huge part of the country’s identity and has been influenced by its history and traditions. But...
    Avianca, Avianca Building, Bogotá, Architecture

    Cudecom and Avianca: 2 Colombian buildings that left their mark on history

    Did you know that a building weighing 7000 tons was moved in Colombia for the expansion of an avenue? Find...
    Selección Colombia, copa América

    Colombian National Football Team stars that shone at Copa América

    Modern day legends James Rodriguez, David Ospina, Yerry Mina, Falcao Garcia and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado are just some of the...
    molecular gastronomy, gastronomic tour, gastronomy tourism, Traditional Food, culinary tourism

    Why is Bogota a gastronomic capital?

    With the inclusion of four Bogotá eateries in the list of Latin America’s 50 top restaurants published by the British...
    Colombian rum, colombia's world beating rum, colombian drinks

    Colombia’s World Beating Rum

    Colombia is a country of many identities and its palm-fringed, sultry salsa, colonial-cobbled Caribbean coastal vibe is one of its...

    Colombia: location and time zone

    Colombia is a country well renowned for its natural diversity, multiculturalism, tourist destinations, and it enjoys the benefit of having...
    Colombia, Independence day, Colombian flag, August 7th, flag day

    Why is August 7th Flag Day?

    Flag Day is celebrated on the same date as one of Colombia’s most important historic events. What’s the story behind...
    Colombian Islands, Paradise, Tourism, Travel

    Colombia’s Paradise Islands

    Colombia has some of the world’s most beautiful islands, with varied eco-systems and ways of life.
    colombian nature

    Why are Colombian flowers the best in the world?

    Colombia is famous for many things; coffee, gold, landscapes and the charm of its people but few things create as...
    Ibero-american theater festival, colombian art, colombian theater, colombian artist

    Six surprising facts about Bogota’s Ibero-American Theater Festival

    Colombia’s capital is well-known for its appreciation of the arts and that includes theater, known in Colombia as tablas or...