It is a widely accepted fact that the moment you step off of the plane in Australia you are doomed to die. It’s really only a matter of where, when and which ungodly creature will be the likely culprit.

Though you all know about great white sharks and saltwater crocodiles. Here are a few more to worry about before your next adventure to the land down under.

Perentie Goanna (Varanus varius)

Bird-Eating Spider (Phlogius crassipes)



Also known as the barking spider, whistling spider, or Goliath, this nightmare fuel is Australia’s largest spider. It’s venomous fangs can grow up to 1cm in length and, as their name suggests, they make a whistling or barking sound if they are approached or feel threatened. Though a bite from one of these bad boys won’t kill you, it can cause up to six hours of vomiting. Its venom is toxic enough, however, to kill a dog or cat so keep your pets from digging in areas these spiders are known to burrow. They typically live underground in self-made dugouts that can be as large as 1m. Their diet includes small birds, amphibians and large insects. That’s a whole lotta nope for one spider.


Creatonotos Gangis Moth (Creatonotos gangis)

This creepy freak of nature is another one of Australia’s horrifying moth species. Though it looks like something out of a Lovecraft novel, it is apparently designed to release pheromones from its four hind coremata to attract a mate. The above photo was taken in an Australian kitchen. Good luck, mate.

Rhinoceros Cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros)

Also known as the Giant Burrowing Cockroach, this little shop of horrors can grow to 3 ½ inches and weigh up to 35 grams. They also live for around 10 years. Luckily, unlike other cockroaches these do not have wigs and cannot fly. In fact, they live underground and aren’t really considered a pest as they are mostly confined to the back garden. Phew.

Spitfire Caterpillars (Perga affinis)

Commonly mistaken for caterpillars, these sawfly larvae huddle in clusters on tree trunks and are known to eject a strong-smelling yellow-green liquid that consists mostly of eucalyptus oil (hence the name Spit Fire) when threatened. It is most likely to cause problems for humans if this liquid gets in your eyes as it can burn.

Hercules Moth (Coscinocera hercules)

Australia’s largest moth species, females have a wingspan of up to 27cm with the largest wing area of any moth in the world. Males grow long tails from the bottom of their hindwings. You’ll find these beasts throughout Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea



Drop Bear (Urbanus legendus)

Rumoured to ‘drop’ onto tourists from great height, these beasts have been the urban legend of choice for many years in Australia, outranking the Yowie, the Hoop Snake and the River Murray Bunyip. These fictional beasts are described as looking like giant koalas but equipped with razor sharp teeth. Any Aussie will tell you they lurk high up in the treetops just waiting for an unsuspecting bush walker to enter their territory.

Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake (Hydrophis platurus)

While it is true that all Australian land snakes can swim. (Yes, you read that correctly.) Australia is also home to a few seabound serpents as well. The Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake may only grow to the length of around 1m they are far-roaming animals, typically inhabiting the deep, offshore waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Interactions with this creature of the deep are rare, but these snakes have begun washing up on Australia’s urban beaches more often in recent years.


The Yoda Bat (Not yet classified)

Resembling a certain Jedi master, this stub-nosed bat species was only recently discovered, begging the question, how many other weird creatures are hiding in Australia’s vast landscapes that still haven’t been uncovered? And why can’t we just leave them there, far away from us?



Cookie-Cutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis)

Though extremely painful, a bite from this breed of dog shark is unlikely to be fatal. This small shark feeds by biting cookie-sized chunks of flesh from its prey. Ouch.



Giant Centipede (Ethmostigmus rubripes)
This nocturnal predator is the largest terrestrial centipede in Australia and Asia. So powerful, it has even been known to eat snakes. People have been known to keep them as pets, because sure, why wouldn’t you? A Giant Centipede may bite if disturbed or handled. A pinch from one of these causes severe pain that can persist for several days. Luckily, no deaths have been recorded from the bite of any Australian centipede.

Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine)

Wrongly accused of killing farmer’s sheep, the Tasmanian Tiger was hunted to extinction in the 1930’s. However more and more sightings are being reported every year and with the thousands of unexplored land in Australia’s outback, it is likely these little hunters are still out there growing in number.

Moreton Bay Bug (Thenus orientalis)

Though it looks like a massive cockroach of the sea, this species of slipper decapod is a delicious delicacy eaten all over Australia. Prepared and served much the same way as lobster, it is a popular treat. Mmmm….


Black Portuguese Millipede (Ommatoiulus moreleti)

Though not dangerous, these creepy crawlies swarm and huddle in smelly masses. When threatened, they emit a pungent yellowish fluid containing quinones which can stain clothes and irritate eyes. This pest was accidentally introduced to Australia and with no natural enemies it has run rampant.


Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa brachyptera)

The mole cricket is a creepy hybrid of burrowing insect and locust. Most of their life is spent underground, but adults have wings and fly in swarms during in the breeding season. The males are known to sing from the openings of their burrows, and at a whopping 3-5cm in length, you’ll know about it if you run into some of these little nightmares on your evening stroll.

Wow strange animals

Hoopsnake (Serpentus rarus)

This breed of snake bites down on its own tail and uses this hoop shape to roll after its prey. Ok. Obviously this one is a joke. Nonetheless, it’s a legend proud Aussies have been using scare campers for decades.

Scaleless Blackfish (not yet classified)

This horrifying little snapper was recently discovered living among other new species inside the dormant volcanoes off of Sydney’s coast. They say that we know more about the surface of Mars than we do about our own oceans. If Australia’s sea creature discoveries are anything to go be, we still have a lot to left to fear/discover.

Swooping Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen)

Though they may seem harmless, these black and white passerines are vicious when mating season comes around. Known to dive-bomb and peck at unsuspecting bypassers, Magpie Swooping Season is now a recognised time of year for all Australians in early spring. Cyclists prepare by attaching hundreds of cable ties to their helmets to act as harmless spikes to fend off these feisty aves. Pedestrians are cautioned with large signs in common swoop areas such as parks and leafy neighbourhoods.


Flesh-Eating Sea Lice (Not yet classified)

Recently added to the list of ‘what the hell is it? Australian animals’, these flesh-eating sea bugs made a meal of a kid’s legs in Melbourne. He had just finished a long football training session and stood up to his knees in sea water at his local beach. When he left the water he noticed his ankles were bleeding and two hours later when his mother couldn’t stop the bleeding, he was taken to hospital. It is still not confirmed what ate his legs but some scientists suggest it could be a meat eating kind of louse similar to that of the common flea.

Omo nawa ooo

Interesting

Lawa

Thanks for showing me the country I'll never have to visit...

OK its that number two that's extremely weird. really weird

canceling my trip

God knew the only reason I disliked Ausrailia is becos of Reptiles (crocs,snakes and the likes)...

.See that first picture,make person no know dey enjoy fresh air in front of your house nd this creature fall on you....u go die of shock especially to visitor, u go think say nah ur village people...

How are the Aussies coping sef?

such a lovely country to visit but make nobody ever dare to tell me make we near bush or say make we go one corner like that ooo...Everything must be done in the open to avoid stories that touch biko....shit!! those things'em really look creepy..

Spawne

..

tempest01:
Spawne

My brother, no animal can scare me like the deplorable state of our country. Mbok my plan no go change because of spider and snake o.

Interesting

Front page material.

Interesting..............

spawne:

My brother, no animal can scare me like the deplorable state of our country. Mbok my plan no go change because of spider and snake o.

You go fear na. Men don tire.

davide470:


You go fear na. Men don tire.

Oga mi....we don try na. At this rate, man need find option. Walahi the transformation of naija from where we dey to a better state will definitely be classed as a Black Swan, if it ever happens.
Until then, make I export some African Culture overseas. Lol