We’ve all been there: you’re casually watching TV, and then suddenly a giant snake appears on the screen, and you instantly feel the need to check under your couch cushions. Or maybe you’re at the beach, and a shadowy shape swims by, and your mind screams “Shark!”
But what if I told you that many of these “scary animals” are simply misunderstood? That’s right, a lot of those spine-chilling creatures that make you want to climb the nearest tree or hide behind the cushions aren’t actually out to get you. Let’s dive into some of the most frightening animals and bust the myths that have given them such a bad rap.
Snakes
Snakes have long been the subject of nightmares, thanks in much part to Hollywood movies, and it’s easy to see why.
For starters, they’re very quiet and sneaky. Snakes can move without making a sound, and they tend to pop up in places where you least expect them, like under rocks, in trees, or in your garden. As well as this, people often assume that every snake is dangerous and will bite at the first opportunity.
Believe it or not, most snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them. They don’t go around looking for humans to chase. That whole idea of snakes slithering after people is more of a Hollywood fantasy.
In reality, snakes usually try to avoid humans, and they’ll only bite if they feel threatened or cornered. And here’s a fun fact: not all snakes are venomous. Only about 600 of the nearly 3,000 species of snakes worldwide have venom, and even fewer are dangerous to humans. If you’re lucky enough to see a snake in the wild, back away and the snake will be more than happy to leave you alone.
If you’d like to see our beautiful royal python in the flesh, head down to Deep Sea World aquarium!
Spiders
Spiders are the ultimate creepy crawlies. Who hasn’t jumped out of their seat when a spider suddenly appears on the wall? But the truth about these misunderstood animals is far less terrifying than you think.
People are scared of getting bitten. They see a spider and immediately imagine themselves with a venomous bite that’ll have them rushing to the hospital. And, let’s be honest, they don’t really look like the cuddliest of creatures.
Even though many people fear getting bitten by a spider, most spiders don’t want to bite you. In fact, they only do it when they feel threatened, and even if you did get bitten, it’s unlikely to be harmful.
The vast majority of spiders are harmless to humans. Most of them are shy, reclusive creatures that would rather keep their distance from us.
You also do not swallow spiders in your sleep, no matter what the internet might tell you!
Piranhas
If you’ve ever seen a film where a school of piranhas strips a cow to the bone in under a minute, you’ve probably sworn to stay far, far away from South American rivers. But, as it turns out, piranhas aren’t the ravenous monsters they’ve been made out to be.
Sharp teeth, a reputation for being aggressive, and, of course, Hollywood scenes that show them attacking anything and everything in sight.
Piranhas are not out to devour everything that moves, however. In fact, they’re pretty timid fish. Yes, they have sharp teeth, but they mostly use them to eat smaller prey, not people.
And as for the idea that they swim in huge schools and attack at random? Not true. Piranhas are solitary animals, and attacks on humans are incredibly rare. So, if you find yourself swimming in the Amazon, you’re much more likely to encounter piranhas minding their own business than a frenzied attack.
Sharks
The kings of scary ocean animals. Whether it’s the iconic “Jaws” theme playing in your head or the sheer size and power of these creatures, sharks have a reputation for being deadly. But is that really deserved?
Again, thanks to Hollywood, many people think that sharks can smell blood from miles away and will attack the moment they get a whiff, using their immense size and razor-sharp teeth to tear prey to shreds.
While sharks do have an excellent sense of smell, the idea that they can smell a drop of blood from miles away is a bit of an exaggeration. It depends on water currents and a lot of other factors. And not all sharks are as large as great whites. There are over 500 species of sharks, including the sand tiger shark, which you can see at Deep Sea World.
Sharks also don’t just attack anything that moves. They’re actually quite selective about their prey, typically hunting seals, fish, and other marine creatures. Attacks on humans are extremely rare, and it’s usually because sharks mistake humans for their usual prey.
Stingrays
Rays are often lumped into the “scary ocean animals” category, mostly because of their venomous sting. But are they really as scary as their name might suggest?
For most people, it’s all about that venomous barb on the stingray’s tail, which they assume is ready to strike at any moment.
In reality, stingrays are actually pretty chilled-out creatures. They only use their stinger when they feel threatened, like if you accidentally step on one. But in general, stingrays prefer to swim away from danger. And here’s another fun fact: not all rays have venomous barbs. Stingrays do, but their cousins, like manta rays, don’t.
So, there you have it—some of the most frightening animals aren’t so scary after all. Sure, they might look a little intimidating, but when you dig deeper, you’ll find that most of these misunderstood animals are just trying to survive like the rest of us. Most of them are more afraid of you than you are of them. So, take a deep breath, give them some space, and appreciate them for the fascinating creatures they are!