Argentina is the largest country in South America covering almost half of the South American continent. It is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world and the country shares its border with Chile to the west, Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, and Uruguay to the east. There are plenty of reasons why you should visit Argentina. It is a county that is filled with unique features such as the amazing coastlines, the desserts, volcanoes and other different climatic regions in the country. Thanks to its geographical locations, Argentina has become home of so many magnificent animals, including some dangerous animals that you should take precaution during your trip.
The country is full of surprises and you will experience some of the best sites in the world because of the exceptional world attractions that are found in Argentina. They have a very rich history and culture and during your visit, you are going to see the diversity firsthand in the region. Whether you like the outdoors or you want to try city life, Argentina guarantees you a time of your life as the local people are friendly and you will find so many fun activities to do in the region. The cuisine in the country is unique and you can learn so much about the history and the diversity of the nation during your visit. Some of the exceptional places that you can visit are the Iguazu Falls, which is one of the natural wonders of the world. Whether you are an outdoorsy person or whether you like the cities then you are sure that Argentina will give you the best experience for your tour. There are colorful festivals as well, these are pretty exciting, and you should not miss them during your trip to the region. Some of the most dangerous creatures and animals that you should check out during your visit to Argentina include the following.
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Mosquitoes
Many people tend to underestimate the power of these tiny creatures. These mosquitoes are often found in the wetlands and any other place that has water. The creatures are very dangerous because they are carriers of viruses, and bacteria, among other carriers of the disease-causing microorganism. They are often known to cause malaria, dengue fever, zika virus, and even Nile virus. You must have insect repellant when you are traversing the country.
Coral snakes
Coral snakes are some of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to find during your trip to Argentina or countries in South America like Venezuela (see: Dangerous animals in Venezuela). Coral snakes are characterized by vibrant colors and patterned skin, which is usually an indicator that the snake is very dangerous. You should avoid places that are inhabited by these snakes because they are very dangerous and they can bite you. They have bands that are white or black and they have a triangular-shaped head. These snakes are known for delivering a copious amount of venom to the victim and this will cause paralysis and eventually death.
They are very skilled at hiding their venom and they will administer it immediately if they feel that they are threatened. In most cases, the coral snakes will remain burrowed in the sand and they come out at night to look for food. These snakes are highly venomous and one bite can lead to death. Some of the side effects include hallucinations, difficulty breathing, paralysis, and eventually death.
Jararaca
This is one of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to find in Argentina. This is one characterized as part of the pit viper family. This snake is very dangerous and you should stay away from it because the venom is known to kill people in an instant. This type of snake is found in most parts of South America and especially in Argentina. The forests on the Argentinian coast are some of the places where you are going to find these snakes and you must be watchful of the places that you are going to visit during your trip. According to recent data, the death caused by snake bites has risen to over 60% hence if the situation is not treated immediately it is likely to cause death.
The Jararaca snakes are very dangerous because they are predatory. Their agility is exceptional and you should stay away from areas that are infested by these creatures. Some of the side effects of snake venom include kidney failure, shock, internal bleeding, and eventually death. It is important that if you are bitten by a snake then you should seek immediate medical attention.
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Sac Spiders
This is another type of dangerous creature that you are likely to see in Argentina. Sac spiders are known to have cytotoxic venom and they are often similar to the brown recluse spider. You must keep your distance from these creatures because they can often result in severe injuries and malfunctioning organs. The wounds where the spider bit can grow up to ten centimeters wide and this will cause other internal problems because the spider will deliver venom that is dangerous and can cause allergic reaction or death.
Harpy eagle
This is one of the creatures that you should avoid during your visit to Argentina. You can also see this bird in Guyana (see: Dangerous animals in Guyana) The bird is named after some of the dangerous-looking creatures in Greek mythology. This beast has some exceptional talons, they can grow up to four inches, and the eagle talon can pierce through the human skull. It is imperative to understand that these creatures are ferocious and the best way is to avoid them during your visit to the country. They usually have wide wings, which span up to seven feet and this makes them very intimidating when they approach.
Harpy eagles usually prey on small animals such as monkeys and sloths. They are not scared of human beings and they can attack when they feel hungry. These creatures are usually very dangerous and they can carry away toddlers and young children. You must stay away from these birds and avoid carrying food in areas that are inhabited by them.
Black widow spiders
The black widow spider in the South American continent is a different creature because it is adapted to the Argentinian climate. Although there are other subspecies that you are going to find in South America. The black widow spider in Argentina is one of the most common killers that you will find in the country. The venom from this spider although not very lethal is enough to cause some of the worst tissue and organ injuries that could otherwise result in malfunctioning of the body system.
Some of the side effects that result from the venom include swelling of the area, muscle pains, nausea, vomiting, and lowered blood pressure, if the antivenom is not administered immediately it could result in dangerous damage or permanent damage to different body organs. These spiders are usually active from September to March and are mostly in grasslands and agricultural locations.
Crossed Pit Viper
The crossed pit viper is a type of snake that is known to thrive in swamps and other humid areas of Argentina. It is a very lethal snake that you are going to find across the country. You must avoid the areas that these snakes inhabit because they can prove to be very dangerous. These snakes usually grow up to 6.5 feet and they are the main cause of snakebites and deaths in Argentina.
The main problem with them is that when it bites the venom is delivered to the body system and the victim will die almost instantly. It is important that you keep your distance from such creatures and always check the places that you are visiting.
The kissing bug
This is one of the most underrated creatures that you are going to encounter in Argentina. They are usually called vampire bugs because of their technique sucking blood from the victims. The bugs got their name from the fact that they like to bite people on their faces and the bites will appear as a red cluster on the skin. The kissing bugs are characterized by an oval body, can grow up to 1-inch long, and have a very sharp piercing vestibule. They also have an antenna and six legs.
Since the bugs are known to thrive in, different conditions and they bite anything with blood on their way they can be sources of infection because they carry bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing microorganisms. The number of deaths caused by the kissing bug is minimal; however, it is known to be one of the most dangerous creatures that you can find in the country.
Further reading:
Fer De Lance Snake
Fer De Lance Snake is another type of snake that is popular in the region and it is found in central and southern Argentina. The snake can grow up to 2 meters long and will weigh about 15 pounds. You must know the area that you are visiting because when you do you will be able to avoid some of these dangerous creatures around the country.
Depending on the region that you are visiting the snakes could be black or brown. Some of the side effects that you are likely to encounter include bleeding, swelling, headaches, bleeding, and difficulty breathing. It is important that if you are bitten by this snake then you should seek immediate medical attention. The creature is very dangerous and you should keep off the areas that you are going to find them inhabiting.
Jaguar
This is one of the most iconic creatures that you are going to encounter in South America (see: Dangerous animals in South America). The big cat is thriving in the natural forests that are found in Argentina and although people have been poaching them, they continue to grow in number and you can find some in the northern part of Argentina. They are pretty hard to find in nature because they want to maintain their habitat; however, you should take your time to find the best location where you can see them. They have very sharp teeth and strong claws and can attack within a matter of seconds.
We all know that you cannot run from a jaguar because it can do an exceptional 80 kilometers per hour speed. It is imperative to note that you should keep your distance from these creatures because you do not know what they are capable of doing. They can easily attack you unprovoked. They are known to be good swimmers as well hence keep your distance.
South American rattlesnake
This is one of the snakes that you are going to find in the central parts of Argentina. It is considered a top killer in the rattlesnake family. The venom from the rattlesnake is known to cause cell death, which eventually turns to tissue damage and organ failure. The effects on the central nervous system are humongous and you should ensure that you are aware of your tourist destination because this will give you an insight into what you are expecting before your tour. These snakes are usually characterized by beaded skin, unique texture, and a rattle at the end of the body.
The South American rattlesnakes prefer to inhabit the grasslands, and dry areas and this makes them the prime death traps in canyons of la rioja, la pampa, and parts of the Mendoza provinces. Although few cases have been reported of these snakes biting people, they are usually hiding and they can only attack whenever they feel threatened. It is important to seek medical attention if you are bitten by a snake.
Brazilian Wandering Spider
Argentina is a large country and it borders Brazil to the north, it is no surprise that you are going to encounter the Brazilian wandering spider in the region. These spiders are usually found in plantations and especially banana plantations. Since there are few people, in some parts of the country, the spiders have become hunting spiders and you do not want to encounter them during your trip. They usually have a leg that is up to 6 inches long and a body of 2 inches long.
The Brazilian wandering spider is nocturnal and you will find that they come out in the evening when they go hunting for food. During this period, they are very ferocious and will attack you within seconds. You must stay away from the areas that are known to produce large numbers of the Brazilian wandering spider. Since these spiders are like dark places, you should ensure that your accommodation is free from them and you will reduce the chances of being bitten.
In conclusion, Argentina is a very huge country and you have the chance to explore different parts of the country. The people are amazing and you will enjoy the cuisine, and things to do and see in the region.
