#6. Kissing Bugs
Over 150 species of insects are referred known as assassin bugs together because they all have a certain style of curled proboscis. The propensity of these species to target the soft tissue areas surrounding human lips is what gave them their more well-known moniker of kissing bug. This proboscis is employed as a tool, for protection, and also for hunting.
Most kissing bugs, which are common around the world, only bite people in an unusually painful way; however, a few species that live in Central and South America are known to spread the deadly illness Chagas disease. Even in the absence of therapy, Chagas disease fatality rates are modest, but due to the broad nature of the parasite infection, even a five percent mortality rate results in 12,000–15,000 organ failure-related fatalities annually.
#5. Crocodiles
On our list of the world’s deadliest creatures, the crocodile comes in as the next apex predator. One of the biggest, most aggressive, and deadliest creatures in the world, crocodiles are said to be responsible for 1,000–5,000 fatalities per year. Crocodiles can move at speeds of up to 25 mph and weigh over 2,000 pounds. They also have a powerful bite.
The only animal on this list that actively hunts and preys on people is the crocodile. The Nile crocodile, which inhabits the areas surrounding the Nile river and is the deadliest species, was so dreaded by the ancient Egyptians that they carried symbols of their crocodile deity to ward off the reptiles.
