Africa is home to several species of animals, including domestic and wild animals and aquatic and terrestrial animals.
Many of these animal species can pose a danger to humans, especially when confronted or threatened in their habitat.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in Africa and many parts of the world are killed by animals or through various incidents.
Given the continent’s enormous diversity of animals, people often wonder which animal kills the most people in Africa.
Many ideas instantly come to mind, like the lion, king of the jungle, the elephant, the largest mammal on earth, the black mamba, Africa’s deadliest serpent, and many more.
In this article, we will check out some of the deadliest animals in Africa that kill the most people on the continent.
Animal That Kills the Most People in Africa
1. Mosquito
Malaria is one of the world’s deadliest diseases and is responsible for the death of more than a million people every year in Africa.
The animal that transmits this disease is the mosquito; specifically, the female anopheles mosquito is responsible for transmitting this deadly parasite.
Aside from malaria, mosquitoes also spread diseases like yellow fever and dengue.
Mosquitoes are known to transmit the parasites responsible for lymphatic filariasis, a leading cause of disability worldwide that results in swollen limbs among people.
Female anopheles mosquitos transmit malaria by sucking on the blood of their victims and transmitting the malaria parasite.
Symptoms often range from headache, fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Although it is treatable, many people in Africa do not have access to effective treatment, which makes the disease fatal.
Indeed, the mosquito is the most dangerous animal in Africa. To prevent mosquito bites, it is advisable to use mosquito nets, repellent, and insecticides.
The mosquito, despite its small size, is the animal that kills most people in Africa.
2. Tsetse Fly
Tsetse flies are large flies found in tropical regions of Africa. They weigh about the same as a housefly.
Although they look small and innocent, they are hazardous insects. Their primary diet is blood, whether human or animal blood.
A tsetse fly bite transmits a parasite known as Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness in humans and animals.
This disease is fatal, leading to about 50,000 human deaths yearly in Africa, with an estimated 60-70 million people at risk of infection annually.
3. Puff Adder
The puff adder is not the most venomous snake in Africa, but it’s one of the most dangerous.
Puff adders are found in many parts of the continent, can grow up to 1 meter in length, and have excellent camouflaging ability.
Puff adders will lie still when threatened rather than run away or attack their victim immediately. Their ability to disguise themselves makes it quite difficult for people to see where they lie.
Most puff adder bites occur when people mistakenly step on them.
Many snake bites occur every year in Africa, and with a fatality rate of about 20% when left untreated, the puff adder has one of the most potent bites on the continent.
It is estimated that puff adders are responsible for around 32,000 human deaths annually, making it one deadly animal that kills the most people in Africa.
4. Black Mamba
Another animal that kills the most people in Africa is the black mamba, which holds the undisputed title of the deadliest snake in Africa.
Despite its name, the black mamba isn’t strictly black; it is brownish.
Its name is due to the dark, inky color on the inside of its mouth. Black mambas can grow up to 14 feet and weigh over 3 pounds.
They are known to move with agility and speed up to 12.5 miles per hour, making it easy to attack their prey.
The venom from a black mamba bite is so lethal that it can kill a human being within 20 minutes if left untreated.
Like most snake species, black mambas are primarily shy and avoid confrontation with humans.
Still, when threatened, they can attack their victim with such ferocity that they inject large amounts of neuro and cardiotoxin into their bodies.
Black mambas are native to sub-Saharan Africa and are primarily found in rocky areas and savannah vegetation in east, west, central, and south Africa.
Although there is no documented evidence of how many people die from black mamba bites every year, it is reported that nearly 20,000 people die from snake bites every year.
The fatality rate from a black mamba bite is almost 100%, mainly due to how fast the venom spreads to the body and the lack of readily available antivenom treatments.
5. Hippopotamus
According to the Greek translation of their names, hippopotamuses, also known as the horses of the river, are regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.
Hippopotamuses are very territorial animals and would attack anyone, human or animal, near their territory.
They spend their lives on land and water, and avoiding them as much as possible is always advisable.
Despite their stocky size, hippopotamuses are pretty fast. They can run as fast as 20 mph compared to humans, who run an average of 6-8mph.
Many hippopotamus attacks occur in water, where it is harder for boatmen to see them approaching from the water as their bodies are submerged in the river.
It is reported that hippos are responsible for about 3,000 human deaths in Africa every year. On average, hippos weigh about 1,400kg, and some never stop growing.
This heavy build, coupled with their sharp tusk, which extends from modified teeth in their mouth, makes it easy for them to attack intruders.
This is why hippos are among the animals that kill the most people in Africa. When riding a safari or boat across African rivers, it’s best to stay out of hippos ‘ territory. They could be very unwelcoming.
6. Nile Crocodile
Found in many major rivers and lakes in Africa, the Nile crocodile is the continent’s largest freshwater predator. Crocodiles use potent jaws to kill their prey and are solid and aggressive.
The Nile crocodile is reputed to have the most powerful bite among animals in Africa.
Most attacks on humans by Nile crocodiles occur near river banks, where locals perform activities like washing clothes or fetching water and fishermen get in and out.
The Nile crocodile is known for its aggressive nature and typically attacks its victim via an ambush technique.
Due to their adaptability in water, it is difficult to see the whole body of a crocodile lying in the water, except its snout.
This trait makes it easy for them to attack without warning. An estimated 300 people in Africa are killed annually by the Nile crocodile.
7. African Elephant
Elephants are the largest land mammals in the world, weighing up to 7,000 kg. These beautiful beasts are known to be relatively calm animals, but they can turn nasty when provoked.
Older male elephants, young males, and elephants with babies are known to become aggressive when provoked or threatened.
Also, male elephants experiencing sexual arousal during mating can become aggressive due to increased testosterone levels.
Elephants attack humans by trampling and crushing their victims with their great hooves and occasionally impaling them with their tusks.
When they feel threatened, elephants can attack any predator to defend themselves. About 500 deaths of humans from elephants are reported in Africa annually.
8. Cape Buffalo
Cape buffalos are very aggressive and unpredictable animals in the wild. A mature cape buffalo can weigh up to 1,000 kg and grow to 1.7 meters tall.
Cape buffalos are known to be fearless, usually moving around in herds to forage for food.
Although they are herbivores, they aren’t shy about attacking and killing humans who get in their way.
Their sharp horns are well adapted for impaling any predators that get in their way, even lions.
Cape buffalos are well sought after by game hunters and are known as one of the toughest animals to hunt down in the African wildlife, alongside rhinos, lions, elephants, and leopards, hence the name “the big five.”
An estimated 200 people are killed each year by Cape Buffalo attacks.
9. African Lion
Widely regarded as the king of the African wild, lions are apex predators that every human would like to avoid.
Known for their speed, strength, and ferocity, lions killing humans are not uncommon occurrences in Africa.
Although humans aren’t their natural prey, lions aren’t shy to attack and kill them for food.
An estimated 200 people are killed every year by lions. Victims of lion attacks include tourists on safari tours of African wildlife parks.
These locals live near wildlife parks, game hunters, poachers, and, on occasion, people who come across the path of a stray lion in urban centers.
10. Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros are the largest land mammals on earth, just after elephants, weighing over 2,000kg.
They are also among the most sought-after animals in Africa by poachers, who covet them for their horns and skin.
Rhinos have poor eyesight but also possess a strong sense of smell. Despite their vulnerability to poaching, rhinos aren’t weak.
Rhinos are known to be short-tempered animals that can attack humans with their horns when provoked. They can sprint up to 64km per hour, which is impressive considering their size.
Although the number of people killed by rhinos annually in Africa isn’t officially known, they are among the animals that kill the most people in Africa.
Notable Mentions
- Hyena
- African Wild Dogs
- Great White Shark
- African Rock Python
- African Leopard
