Sharks & dangerous animals
Are sharks dangerous to humans?
Of more than 500 shark species only a handful are ever linked to bites, and fatal attacks on people are extremely rare.
Deadliest animals to humans →What is the most dangerous animal to humans?
Not sharks — the mosquito kills the most people each year by spreading malaria and other diseases.
Deadliest animals to humans →How long do sharks live?
Most sharks live 20–30 years, but the Greenland shark can reach 250–400+ years — the longest-lived vertebrate known.
Longest-living animals →Big cats
How fast is a cheetah?
The cheetah reaches 70–75 mph (112–120 km/h) in short bursts, making it the fastest land animal.
Fastest animals on Earth →Are lions endangered?
Lions are listed as Vulnerable, with wild numbers falling due to habitat loss, prey decline and conflict with people.
Lion guide →What's the difference between a leopard, jaguar and cheetah?
Cheetahs are slim speed-hunters with solid spots; leopards and jaguars have rosettes, with the jaguar bulkier and stronger-jawed.
Compare animals →Snakes & spiders
What is the most venomous animal?
By venom potency the inland taipan leads among snakes and the box jellyfish among sea creatures — see the full ranked list.
Most venomous animals →What is the biggest spider in the world?
The Goliath birdeater is the heaviest spider by mass, while the giant huntsman has the largest leg-span.
Biggest spiders in the world →Is a king cobra dangerous?
The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake and delivers a large dose of neurotoxic venom in a single bite.
King cobra guide →Animal behaviour
Why do cats purr?
Cats purr to self-soothe and to communicate contentment or need — and the low frequency may even aid healing.
Why do cats purr? →Why do dogs tilt their heads?
Head-tilting likely helps dogs pinpoint sounds and pick out familiar words and faces.
Why do dogs tilt their heads? →Which animal has the strongest bite force?
The saltwater crocodile records the strongest measured bite; the hippo leads among land mammals.
Strongest bite force in animals →More wild animal questions
How strong is a gorilla?
A gorilla is estimated to be several times stronger than a person, with a grip and lifting power far beyond our own.
How strong is a gorilla? →Are orcas dangerous to humans?
Despite the name 'killer whale', there are no confirmed fatal attacks on humans by orcas in the wild.
Are orcas dangerous? →How many hearts does an octopus have?
An octopus has three hearts — two pump blood to the gills and one to the rest of the body — plus blue, copper-based blood.
Octopus hearts →Why are rhinos poached?
Rhinos are killed for their horn, wrongly believed to have medicinal value, despite being made of the same protein as our nails.
Why rhinos are poached →