The World's Deadliest and most dangerous…
The Sydney funnel web spider (Atrax robustus) is widely regarded as the most dangerous spider in Australia, if not the World. It is actually responsible for many less bites than the also notorious redback spider. However, whilst both are potentially lethal the funnel web has a stronger venom which it is much more capable of … Read more
Of all the times to live in throughout history the Medieval period was probably one to avoid. Roughly speaking Medieval times (or the Middle Ages) started at the end of the Roman Empire, around 500 AD, and continued until around the 1500s. Whilst I’m sure plenty of lovely things happened during this time none of them … Read more
The tables below list the recorded unprovoked* shark attacks from around the world since records began in 1580. They have been aggregated and are held by the International Shark Attack File (ISAF). The ISAF, the longest running authority on shark attacks, has a long-term scientifically documented database containing information on all known shark attacks, and … Read more
If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the mighty one… …Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. Those were the words of Robert Oppenheimer in 1945 after Trinity atomic bomb test – the first ever nuclear test. Months later … Read more
Everybody knows that for most of us going into the woods to pick and eat a random selection of toadstools and mushrooms is pretty much like playing Russian roulette – it’s been drummed into us since we were reading fairy tales. The point is unless you are an absolute expert on gathering mushrooms you should … Read more
Ever wondered what insect might have the most painful sting? You’re probably thinking there isn’t a definitive answer. Some people might think a hornet has a more painful sting than a harvester ant, but how would they know if they hadn’t been stung by both of them? So there isn’t really a way of ranking … Read more
The bulls shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is considered by many to be the most dangerous shark to humans on the planet. So why does it not have quite such a notorious rep as its cousins, the more great white and tiger sharks? Well, read on and we might just be able to change your minds. Common name … Read more
When dangerous wild animals are mentioned most people don’t think of the UK. And for good reason. Generally speaking there isn’t much in the way of animals that presents any danger to humans. That was made sure of in Medieval times when all the wolves, bears, wild boars and man-eating hedgehogs were hunted to extinction. … Read more
Back in the good old days if you did something wrong, for example stole a goat or impersonated a chicken, you were pretty much assured being handed a death sentence. In those days there was no hanging around on Death Row, contemplating the errors of your ways whilst waiting for some form of humane, painless … Read more
For an animal (just) that is 95% water, has no brain and eats / defecates out of the same opening the jellyfish have a surprisingly complex and effective weapon at their disposal. Most species have tentacles loaded with stinging cells called nematocysts. When these stinger cells are triggered the internal pressure builds up to a … Read more