Number 10 Black Mamba
The black mamba, endemic to the African continent, is arguably the most intimidating
snake on the planet. Its venom contains highly potent neurotoxins in addition to other toxic
compounds. Untreated bites have a mortality rate of 100% as victims’ neurological, respiratory
and cardiovascular systems are rapidly and ruthlessly attacked. It’s the fastest-acting venom
of any snake. Dry bites are virtually non-existent as the mamba will deliver venom almost 100%
of the time. Its fangs are the longest of any elapid snake and they’re positioning, right at
the front of the mouth, enhances venom delivery. This snake is also massive, highly aggressive and
incredibly fast. In fact, with a top slithering speed of up to 12 miles per hour, the black
mamba is the fastest land snake on record. Even witnessing its threat display is a nightmarish
sight as the snake will open its black mouth, which is actually the source of its common name.
Number 9 Lion
Lion prides produce some of the most ferocious hunters in the animal kingdom
but the social behavior typical of their groups is rather brutal.
Males are the most dominant members of the pride and they’re primarily tasked with defense. Violent
territorial disputes often arise. There’s fierce competition not only from other predators but also
from usurping outside males. After the existing pride kings are ousted and new alpha males emerge,
all existing lion cubs are typically killed. In fact, up to 80% of all lion cubs
die before the age of 2. The usurpers, themselves having been ousted from a pride upon reaching
sexual maturity, won’t raise cubs that aren’t of their blood. Additionally, females won’t become
fertile or receptive to mating until their cubs are mature or dead. Lionesses will fiercely defend
their young but have little chance of prevailing against males individually, unless they’re joined
by other mothers within the pride. Number 8 Giant Deathstalker
Most scorpion species are prolific hunters that will use their pincers to control or crush victims
and their stingers to subdue them. A scorpion’s sting can be remarkably swift,
at only 0.75 seconds. The arachnid will cover its prey in digestive juices, which liquefy its body
thus enabling the scorpion to suck up nutrients. Even scorpion mating is a rather ruthless affair.
A male and a female will interlock pincers and engage in something called “promenade a deux”.
It’s a type of dance in which they hold pincers while moving forwards and backwards as they face
each other. The male will then sting the female, to pacify her, and guide her to a sperm sac he’d
laid on the ground. Sexual cannibalism has also been occasionally reported in scorpions. Aside
from owning all the terrifying characteristics typical of its kind, southern Africa’s giant
deathstalker is also capable of spraying its neurotoxic venom. Like with a few other species
in the Parabuthus genus, this behavior is meant to cause temporary blindness and affects the victim’s
respiratory system. It thus leaves prey at the giant deathstalker’s mercy which, much like its
name would suggest, is virtually inexistent. Number 7 Stargazer
The stargazer is commonly known as the “meanest thing in creation” and the reasons for that are
hard to dispute. These predatory fish typically bury themselves in the sand and some species
possess fleshy, worm-like appendages on the floor of their mouth, which they can wiggle to lure in
prey. They quietly wait for their victims to come within range. From their camouflaged positions,
these creatures will then leap upwards with their large mouths open to ambush passing invertebrates
or small fish. Above their pectoral fins, stargazers have two large venomous spines
which they can use to impale prey and would-be predators. Aside from these weaponized spines,
some species are also capable of delivering electric shocks. A stargazer’s electric
organs can derive from modified eyes or sonic organs, thus complementing their venomous sting
with an electric shock. Number 6 Great Grey Shrike
These songbirds are not only capable of taking prey nearly equal to their size but they’re also
known for a ruthless hunting behavior that’s rather unique in the animal kingdom. Commonly
referred to as the “butcher bird”, the great grey shrike will swoop down on its intended prey, which
mainly consists of small rodents. It will then strike at the victim’s skull with its hooked beak.
If the animal is tougher to kill or too large to be consumed on the spot, the great grey shrike
will carry it to a feeding spot. Since the bird’s claws aren’t suitable for tearing into flesh,
it will typically impale prey upon a spike. The bird may use a thorny bush or even a barbed wire
fence. From that point on, the shrike can use its beak to gouge out more manageable chunks.
Whenever food is scarce, the bird may choose to return to the feeding spot. Creatures which the
shrike recognizes as toxic won’t be consumed right away as it will wait until the noxious
chemicals become degraded. The bird has even been observed impaling and skinning common toads alive
to get around their poisonous skin. Number 5 Praying Mantis
Praying mantis species are known to effectively operate as ambush predators but also as
active pursuers. Prey is grabbed with their raptorial forelegs and held securely as the
mantis plunges its mandibles into the victim and decapitates it. These ferocious insects
generally target arthropods but some have even been documented killing hummingbirds
and other small bird species. The manner in which this is done is quite horrific. The birds are
bitten directly into the head or throat. Some will have holes chewed in their heads so that
the mantis can feed on their brains. The birds are sometimes scalped, decapitated or de-feathered by
the mantis. Sexual cannibalism is infamous among mantises. Strangely enough, if mating has already
begun, decapitating the male will result in a more vigorous release of reproductive material.
To change the female’s desire from feeding to mating, males will sometimes engage them in
a courtship dance. Number 4 Asian Black Bear
Numerous reports on the Asian black bear have profiled this creature
as being much more aggressive than the brown bears of Eurasia and the black bears of North
America. It’s believed that the Asian black bear has evolved a higher predisposition to violence
because of shared territory with tigers, which are among the world’s most skilled predators.
The Himalayan black bear subspecies seems to have earned a particularly fierce reputation.
There are reports of people being scalped and horribly mutilated by the beasts.
They’re also known to attack without provocation. If a hunter fails to make the killing shot,
the Asian black bear becomes incredibly dangerous as it will viciously charge its aggressor.
A significant number of hunters have died in this manner. After mauling the victim with its claws,
the bear will bite down on one of their limbs and then snap at their head. The second person in
history to receive a face transplant, Li Guoxing, was actually the victim of a black bear attack.
Number 3 Wolverine At the upper limits of its recorded weight,
a wolverine is only about 77 pounds. The predatory feats that this animal can accomplish,
in spite of its size, are outstanding. According to one report, a wolverine was put in the same zoo
enclosure with a polar bear. Almost immediately, the mustelid attacked the hyper-carnivorous apex
predator. It reportedly kept its jaws clamped on the polar bear’s throat until it suffocated.
There have been reports of wolverines taking out moose that outweighed them by up to 20
times. To put that discrepancy into perspective, it would be like a house cat taking down a deer.
Even though it’s in the same family as weasels, badgers or otters, the wolverine more closely
resembles a small bear. It has one of the least specialized diets in the animal kingdom,
feeding on anything from carrion to bison and the largest of deer species,
namely moose, elk and reindeer. The wolverine will prey on wolf or coyote pups and might
even attempt to steal kills from grizzlies. Its gluttonous drive is supported by a muscular build,
crampon-like claws and a robust skull with powerful jaws. Wolverines have an upper molar,
at the back of their mouth, that’s rotated 90 degrees towards the inside. This makes it easier
for them to tear through frozen meat. Number 2 Black-footed Ferret
The black-footed ferret is such a ruthless hunter that its prey is actually included in its common
name. This specialized killer is often referred to as the prairie dog hunter. The ferret will stalk,
chase or ambush its prey. One technique involves the black footed ferret sneaking into the prairie
dog’s den at night. The victim is woken up by a ferret paw strike. As the prairie dog raises its
head, the animal’s vital regions are exposed. The ferret’s attack is swift and merciless.
Not only does it kill the prairie dog in its own home but the ferret will also take
shelter in its prey’s empty dwellings. Number 1 Grasshopper Mouse
The grasshopper mouse seems to defy all that is known about its animal family. Whereas mice are
usually the victims of venomous creatures, the grasshopper mouse actively pursues them as prey.
Aside from harmless insects, like the grasshopper, the mouse’s diet includes spiders, snakes,
centipedes and scorpions. While taking on a centipede, it will remain outside the range of its
toxic claws and repeatedly bite through its hard exoskeleton. The mouse continues to do this until
the centipede’s nervous system is damaged and it becomes paralyzed.
It feeds on and has evolved to resist the highly venomous bark scorpion in a rather interesting
manner. The rodent has developed sensory neurons that reject the toxins and prevent
the transmission of pain signals. The mouse will barely notice the scorpion’s sting and is also
immune to a number of other venomous predators. Its species-defying traits don’t end here,
nor does its ruthlessness. In captivity, the grasshopper mouse will kill and eat other mice
if they’re put in the same enclosure. In the wild, they’ll stalk and sneak up on their prey
in a manner similar to that of a cat and defend their territories by giving out a wolf-like howl.
Thanks for watching! Would you rather jump into a pit of black mambas or be locked in
a basement with a giant rabid wolverine? Let us know in the comments section below!