Most adorable animals are more than just cute faces– they can be deadly. Their lovable appearances make us believe they need our support to survive. However, some of these adorable animals are predators, and you could become a victim of vicious attacks if you get too close. Here is a list of animals that are cute but dangerous.
Blue-Ringed Octopus
The blue-ringed octopus is a cute and vibrant cephalopod animal. However, it is also one of the world’s most venomous animals. Bright blue markings dot their bodies, appearing only when the octopus feels threatened and is ready to attack.
Behind the cute exterior of the octopus is a venom that is 1000 times more lethal than cyanide. When the octopus attacks a predator, it ejects this venom, which causes paralysis and, later, death. A common blue-ringed octopus such as Happalochlaema maculosa has enough poison to kill 26 adults in a minute.
Slow Loris
The adorable teddy bear size and puppy-dog eyes of the slow loris make it look so cute. But don’t be fooled; it is also one of the only venomous mammals in the world. This animal has a poisonous gland near its armpits on the sides of its elbows.
When a slow loris feels threatened, it takes the venom into its mouth and mixes it with saliva. It can also deter predators from attack by rubbing or licking its hair with this mixture. The toxin is lethal to humans as it can cause anaphylactic shock and even death.
Leopard Seal
Something about the slick skin of a leopard seal that splashes around in the water makes you want to touch them. However, these animals are aggressive and are known to attack people who get too close.
The leopard seal is at the top of Antarctica’s food chain, feeding on other seals, krill, and fish. They are also known for their territorial behavior during the breeding season and aggressive hunting style. Although one bite from a leopard seal might not kill you, it sure can leave permanent damage.
Pufferfish
Pufferfish are tiny and adorable to watch swimming around. Although it has an attractive look when it inflates into a puff ball-like shape, it also has toxins. The PufferFish is the second most poisonous vertebrate in the world.
It has a toxic substance known as tetrodotoxin, making it deadly to other fish and humans. A pufferfish has enough poison to kill about 30 adult humans, and there is currently no known antidote. It kills by paralyzing the diaphragm, causing suffocation.
Poison Dart Frogs
The bright, charismatic colors of this animal might catch your eye. But we all know that is nature’s way of telling us to stay away. These diurnal frogs often live in tropical regions across South and Central America. The poison dart frog is also one of the most toxic animals worldwide.
Although not all poison dart frogs are poisonous, the poisonous ones tend to be highly toxic. They secrete a hazardous poison from their skin, which causes paralysis or death to whoever touches it.
