Deadly/ venomous things

As per Damien's request for more and varied pictures of Australian fauna:


The inland taipan:


Has anyone ever heard of this thing (except you, Damien)? Well, if you haven't, you may want to look it up before you decide to come visit me. This little cutie just happens to be the #1 deadliest snake in the world. (I know, right?) What about cobras? What about black mambas, vipers? No? No.

I saw it as the Featherdale Wildlife center, and it would definitely kill me if I came across it in the bush. I would hardly notice it. Whoops...


The box jellyfish:

For those of you who saw Seven Pounds, you know where this is going.

Actually, having just read through a few questionably reputable sources, they may not be as deadly as you think. There seems to be consensus over the fact that their toxin is among the deadliest in the world, but there is no definitive: "THEY ARE THE DEADLIEST THINGS IN EXISTENCE." Well, that's a mild relief. That and the fact that they live off the coast of Queensland. (Have at em, bogans. You too, Deb ;D )


Other Aussie jellyfish:

This is called a blue bottle. It may look like a Portuguese man of war, but it is like it's diminutive cousin. I've seen them. Their sort of cute. Apparently some thought they looked like coke bottles. Others have said they look like blue condoms... You judge for yourself.
(P.s. They're not deadly, but they might result in some sort of Friends scenario... if you're retarded, locals say. Peeing on a sting is not what you want to do. I don't know what is, though. I should look that up...)


The platypus (wait, what? Yeah--Australia has venomous mammals, too):

But he's so cute, you say. "I could just tickle his little tummy!" I wouldn't advise this unless it happened to be a female platypus. But while you're checking the sex, this guy will clamp his hind legs, equipped with two venomous spurs, right onto you, injecting a toxin that won't kill you, just give you the most intense pain you have ever felt or will ever feel.

But, still, they really are the cutest. I think I would chance it just to tickle him for a second.


Spiders: Just peruse this helpful chart (bear in mind, this image is much smaller than the original... Think that scene in Jurassic Park with the T-Rex in the rear-view mirror...)



That's all for now. Food for thought. Til next time.