Australia is home to a boggling array of poisonous creatures, something like eight of the ten deadliest critters that will have you writhing in agony in seconds. A few to mention are the box jellyfish, the cone shell (yes a shell can kill you), the funnel web spider and nearly all of the world's most venomous snakes. The Taipan is takes the number one spot and is 50 times more venomous that the second most deadly snake. And I haven't even mentioned sharks or saltwater crocodiles. The reason that Australia has so many of the nasty critters is that it's mostly empty. Conditions for survival in the Outback are extreme. These animals have had to evolve extra toxic venom to ensure an adequate defence against other deadly species. Having read all this before arriving in Australia I'm terrified of being bitten, stung, maimed, mangled etc. but despite having spent nearly four weeks camping in the Outback I haven't seen a single thing one of these. Mind you, I haven't been looking too hard.
(Photo - spider minding it's own business)
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