Earth's most dangerous species

[von Corax]

Well, leaving aside the "friendly fire" aspects, it turns out the other species most deadly to man is not the great white shark, but...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

More are killed by close encounters with this horrible beast (at least in North America) than any other...

Makes some movies a little less cute in retrospect, doesn't it?


Z

I must say, sir, that I find it difficult to believe that particular animal has killed more humans than sharks

Those little devils kill around 200 people in North America every year. Sharks don't kill a third that many people worldwide.

[darkshines]

But then the number of people who have great white shaks in their back garden is fairly small. I'd like to see this ratio in the context of animal to human contact. For example, my least favourite animal on the entire planet is the disgusting, vile, reptilian leopard seal *shudder*. Only one person has been killed by a leopard seal (seize by the head and dragged uner the ice!), but how many people have been in derect contact with them in the wild? I believe they would kill humans regularly if they could, they are that bad.

[Derranged-Gadgeteer]

Well, leaving aside the "friendly fire" aspects, it turns out the other species most deadly to man is not the great white shark, but...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

More are killed by close encounters with this horrible beast (at least in North America) than any other...

Makes some movies a little less cute in retrospect, doesn't it?
Z

I must say, sir, that I find it difficult to believe that particular animal has killed more humans than sharks

More people are killed by falling coconuts than by shark attacks every year. 

In 2006 4 people died from shark attacks worldwide (ref)
Car accidents involving deer account for about 150 deaths every year (ref)

Shark attacks may be more spectacular, but deer, mosquitoes, dogs, and of course other humans are all far more deadly to the population.

[Burr]

The sharks are just cleverer and better at covering it up. You only hear about the mistakes they make when there are witnesses or evidence is discovered.

The truth is out there.

*dons brass foil hat*

[Arcturon the hobo]

Thing is, sharks don't attack humans that often. And no one shark has ever been reported as having attacked a human a second time. As well as this, sharks are pretty efficient predators, there's usually no remains when they've eaten, except when they attack humans. The running theory is that we're just far more boney and unappetising than the prey that they are accustomed too.

[Acheron]

Thing is, sharks don't attack humans that often. And no one shark has ever been reported as having attacked a human a second time. As well as this, sharks are pretty efficient predators, there's usually no remains when they've eaten, except when they attack humans. The running theory is that we're just far more boney and unappetising than the prey that they are accustomed too.

Poppycock. Everyone knows that humans are rubbery and spongy, much like slightly spoiled chicken. Do you not know what they say about babies, 'the other white meat'?

[T.Taylor the Third]

aren't Humans the most dangerus species?

[JingleJoe]

aren't Humans the most dangerus species?

Nonsense! It's obviously my giant radioactive isopods with the power to hover

[Joozey]

Please note, for all who mistook, the statement was plural. There is no need in stating THE most dangerous species; I still think the air kraken is far more dangerous than all the humans together. In fact, all the humans together plus an air kraken would likely result in a spectacular bloodbath. Not in favour of the humans.

[Arvis]

Please note, for all who mistook, the statement was plural. There is no need in stating THE most dangerous species; I still think the air kraken is far more dangerous than all the humans together. In fact, all the humans together plus an air kraken would likely result in a spectacular bloodbath. Not in favour of the humans.

 You underestimate the power of a hairless monkey.

Arvis

[Gendrick]

Please note, for all who mistook, the statement was plural. There is no need in stating THE most dangerous species; I still think the air kraken is far more dangerous than all the humans together. In fact, all the humans together plus an air kraken would likely result in a spectacular bloodbath. Not in favour of the humans.

That's Poppysticks and Cockyfiddle!!! That air Kraken would go down in a second, What with all of our brilliant minds putting together a steam powered deathray that will tear a hole in reality, and by brilliant I mean deranged

[Joozey]

You'd be dead before you can touch your wrench!

[Arvis]

You'd be dead before you can touch your wrench!

 I ain't reach'n fer no wrench. I'll sic the worlds roach population on his ass. That'll fix him.
Roaches seem to be the one critter we ain't been able to eradicate...   ..if your "air kraken" can kill them off...   ...then he's hired!

[Lucius Voltaic]

You'd be dead before you can touch your wrench!

 I ain't reach'n fer no wrench. I'll sic the worlds roach population on his ass. That'll fix him.
Roaches seem to be the one critter we ain't been able to eradicate...   ..if your "air kraken" can kill them off...   ...then he's hired!

There's a great science fiction story--I don't remember by whom, or what it's called--but it involves aliens coming to colonize Earth. Humans have died out, but, before they did, they made a pact with termites and agreed that the termites would inherit the Earth. And so the termites shoot up the aliens with their termite death-rays. I know, it sounds cheesy how I said it, but it's really an awesome story. Does someone here want to come up with the title?

[patron_vectras]

I was just reading about chess on Wikipedia (after looking at the featured article, Blade Runner, and seeing one of the themes in the story relating to the famous "immortal game" of 1851. I had to pursue.) and must say that we have a leg up in being able to plan our planning. Other animals can plan things and work together, but I can't think of any right now with the ability to think about thinking. The consequence of this is self-aware learning.

A kraken can't (presumably) do that.


carry on ;]

[Rockula]

I was just reading about chess on Wikipedia (after looking at the featured article, Blade Runner, and seeing one of the themes in the story relating to the famous "immortal game" of 1851. I had to pursue.) and must say that we have a leg up in being able to plan our planning. Other animals can plan things and work together, but I can't think of any right now with the ability to think about thinking. The consequence of this is self-aware learning.

A kraken can't (presumably) do that.


carry on ;]

There's considerable evidence that some higher primates and, of course, dolphins have a sense of humour and can actually create situations deloberately for comic effect. This would suggest the ability to 'think about thinking' and to be self aware although, perhaps, in a different way to Homosapiens.
 Never met a Kraken so I couldn't possibly comment on thier after dinner speaking.

[patron_vectras]

I was just reading about chess on Wikipedia (after looking at the featured article, Blade Runner, and seeing one of the themes in the story relating to the famous "immortal game" of 1851. I had to pursue.) and must say that we have a leg up in being able to plan our planning. Other animals can plan things and work together, but I can't think of any right now with the ability to think about thinking. The consequence of this is self-aware learning.

A kraken can't (presumably) do that.


carry on ;]

There's considerable evidence that some higher primates and, of course, dolphins have a sense of humour and can actually create situations deloberately for comic effect. This would suggest the ability to 'think about thinking' and to be self aware although, perhaps, in a different way to Homosapiens.
 Never met a Kraken so I couldn't possibly comment on thier after dinner speaking.

 but what is humor? ;]
the moon is a harsh mistress, anyone?

[Cubinoid]

I believe the Earth's most dangerous species may well be the Kappa.

Incredibly strong, this turtle like creature has a beak, and lives near water. If one goes near the waters it inhabits, it will walk (on two legs) out of the water, revealing its monkey like head which has a ring of hair around a shallow hole in the top of the head. This hollow is full of water. The thing then drags the victim into the water to drown it, and possibly eat it. No one has ever discovered a body at the scene of a Kappa abduction.

Apparently, the fluid inside the hollow head of the Kappa is the source of it's strength. Kappas are very polite creatures, so the solution, should you encounter one, is to bow low to the Kappa, and it will then bow back to you, causing the fluid to leak from it's head, draining it's strength and allowing a hasty retreat.

As far as I know, a Kappa has never been caught alive, but if anyone cares to mount an expedition...?

Look here for modern day warnings about the Kappa:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kappa_(folklore)

[Rockula]

If a virus can be called a species, which it can, then 'Earth's most dangerous species' title should be awarded to Influenza. This, after all, known to have killed most human beings out of all the nasty little bugs available at a currently estimated 100 million deaths so far.
 It easily trumps Ebola, Rabies, etc...

[Atterton]

I think Malaria kills more than that.

[Rockula]

I think Malaria kills more than that.

It's about 3 million deaths a year worldwide for Malaria and 'only' 250,000 to 500,000 deaths per year for Influenza.
 However, if you factor in the pandemics including the 1918-19 outbreak of Spanish Flu (100 million) and the various smaller, but still viscious outbreaks since, Influenza still holds the record.

 And if my bad head and sweats are the start of something I may be next.

[Cubinoid]

aren't Humans the most dangerus species?

Nonsense! It's obviously my giant radioactive isopods with the power to hover

Haha! Obviously!