Colombia is a popular South American tourist destination and it is a perfect spot for anyone looking for an ideal vacation destination. The country is known for its amazing wildlife, diverse creatures, charming and welcoming people. If you want to visit a country in South America that will give you all the amazing features that you have been looking for then Colombia is the perfect destination. Colombia is rich in fauna and flora because of the different climatic conditions that encourage the growth of thick forests, peninsulas, desserts, grasslands, and amazing coastlines all of which will allow you to explore the different parts of the country with ease. The fauna and flora are amazing and you will not miss something to see or do when you are in this location.

The country is home to some of the most exquisite wildlife and it is known for its diverse wildlife in this context, you should have information about the country before you can visit it. When you are aware of your environment then it is easier for you to deal with anything that might come along during your trip. When traveling abroad one of the fundamental aspects that you should always consider is your safety. Understanding your vacation destination is important because it will help you make better choices. There is so much that you can see in the Colombian expansive land. During your exploration, there are some creatures that you should avoid when visiting this destination. Here are some of the creatures that you should watch out for when exploring Colombia.

Jaguars

This is another category of very dangerous cats. The jaguars are usually thriving in the country and they are known for their agility, strong teeth, and muscles. It is critical that you should avoid the areas where these creatures are thriving. Their jaws can crush human bones within a few minutes.

These creatures usually avoid humans, however, whenever they feel cornered or when they are hungry then they are likely to attack you. You must avoid areas where these cats thrive. If you are attacked by the jaguars, then you should seek immediate medical attention. The jaguars are usually deep in the rainforests and you will rarely find them in the natural habitat or vegetation.

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Tigers

There are no native tigers in Columbia, however, there have been several that have been brought to the country and they are in the zoo. The main point of adding them to this list is that these creatures are still wild and you should not be fooled now that they are caged they lose their animal instincts. Tigers are very huge creatures and they can grow up to 4 feet tall weighing up to 300 pounds. It is important that you should avoid them because they have very strong teeth and muscles and they can attack immediately. They are wild creatures and if they feel threatened or when they are hungry then they are likely to attack.

Poison Dart

Poison Dart Frog in Colombia

This frog does not need any kind of introduction because of the legendary venom that it spits. The frog is often characterized by colorful colors across the body and you should not be fooled by these colors because the color is usually meant to deter prey. When you are in contact with this frog it will leave you with very lethal venom. It is known that the venom from this frog can kill 20 adult people. You can imagine if it is only one spit or bite and it can kill twenty people, what about it attacks you alone. You should avoid areas where these frogs are thriving. Some of these areas include moist and tropical areas. You should avoid them and do not touch them.

The mode of operation of the toxin is to cause involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation and this may cause heart failure and death. These frogs usually get all poison from the insects that they consume and you should avoid them as much as possible. They are often found on the pacific coast of Colombia. They usually come in different colors from orange, pink, or even green. You should avoid them and if you think that you have encountered the venom then you should seek immediate medical attention.

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Equis snake

This is one of the creatures that you will encounter during your trip to different parts of Colombia. The invertebrate is common in central and southern America and the reputation of the snake precedes it because of what it can do to its prey. The snake is popularly known as Fer de lance in the country and it is popular because it has some of the most venomous bites that you can get anywhere in the world. The Equis snake likes living amongst people and it is for this that it can pose threat and danger to the people visiting the country. The snake usually consumes small rodents, birds, and other mammals. However, they are very defensive creatures and they are likely to attack whenever they feel that their habitat is interfered with or disturbed.

The adult Equis snake can grow up to 6 feet long and they are often characterized by an x pattern all over the body. It is often classified under the viper family of snakes hence they have very good vision and they have the heat sensing vipers between their nostrils and eyes. When these snakes feel that they are being attacked they usually deliver a highly concentrated venom to the victim and this is known to causes necrosis. This is a process by which cells die off and this will lead to amputation if it is not urgently treated. Some of the symptoms of attack by the snake include hypotension, hallucinations, vomiting, fever, nausea, headaches, and intestinal bleeding. It is critical that you seek immediate medical attention if this snake attacks you.

Brazilian wandering spider

This is commonly called the banana spider because it is known to thrive in different parts of the country. When on your vacation in Columbia then you should be sure to check different parts of the country for this spider. The spider is very dangerous as it can grow up to 15 centimeters long and it is known to deliver a very dangerous sting. These spiders are known to have brown discoloration and they usually raise their legs when they are confronted. They do not attack humans unless you have interfered with their habitat. They are known for traversing different parts of the country because they are often found in banana boxes.

At night this spider usually comes out of its hiding place before wandering in the floor and other parts of the house, hence if you are exploring the outdoor environment of the country then you should check out different places to ensure that you do not encounter them. In a situation where the spider bites you then you should seek immediate medical attention. They usually like living amongst humans and they are very aggressive in nature hence very dangerous.

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Bullet Ant

Bullet Ant

The bullet ant is one of the most dangerous creatures that you should avoid when visiting Columbia. The ant derived its name from the kind of pain that you will get when it bites you. These ants have very dangerous bites that you will feel as if you have been shot. One sting from the ants and you will feel excruciating pain for over twenty-four hours. You must seek immediate medical attention if the ants bite you. They can cause paralysis and the pain is usually endless and you will feel as if the area is burning in hot coal as well.

When exploring different parts of the country then you should ensure that your guide gives you comprehensive information about the different parts of the country so that you can avoid areas where you might encounter these bullet ants. However, if you are bitten or stung by the ants then you should seek immediate medical attention. These bullet ants are usually thriving in the natural forests of the country and they will fight if they are attacked. One of the characteristics that many people experience is that they will go into anaphylactic shock. This is a very dangerous process and if you are not careful you might be left paralyzed.

Scorpion

Scorpion

There are different species of scorpions in Columbia and you should be careful when traversing the country. These scorpions are usually poisonous because they have a claw at the back of their tail that is used to pierce on the prey and deliver the toxic venom. The scorpions in Columbia have very lethal poison that when they attack they usually deliver to the victim and cause severe pain. You must avoid the areas where you are likely to encounter scorpions. The venom from the scorpion is known to affect the sodium and potassium channels in the body and this is integral because it is the communication channel of the body. 

When the venom is in high concentration then it is likely to cause paralysis. A proper sting can cause heart failure and if it is left untreated it could result in heart failure. A common rule when you are in Columbia is to ensure that you shake your shoes and clothes before wearing them. If you are outdoors you should check your shoes. If this creature stings you then you should seek immediate medical attention.

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Giant Otter

Many people tend to underestimate how dangerous this creature can be, even though they can grow up to six feet in length, these creatures are often very lethal and you should avoid them at all costs. They are very territorial creatures and if you interfere with their habitat then they are likely to attack you and hence the need to avoid them as much as you can. They might seem approachable and friendly; however, this is a bad idea because the next minute you will be at the hospital. They usually consume crustaceans, small mammals, and fish and there have been several cases of these creatures attacking humans.

They have very sharp teeth and they can cause severe serration and cuts which often results in excessive bleeding and some cases death. Otters usually attack in gangs hence if you are the victim then they are likely to attack you mercilessly. You should seek immediate medical attention if these creatures attack you.

Black Caiman

This is one of the iconic creatures that you are likely to encounter in Columbia. The black caiman is different from their counterparts the alligators and crocodiles; however, they have similar characteristics. They are common in the country and you should work as much as you can to avoid them because they can be very dangerous. These creatures usually have very sharp teeth and strong muscles and when they attack they crush the bones and drown the victim. They are often found in the fresh waters in Columbia and they are very agile hence you should not mess around with these creatures.

The adult black caiman can grow up to 20 feet in length and this makes them one of the largest predators in the region. You should avoid the areas that are frequented by the caimans because they can be very ferocious. When exploring different parts of Columbia then you should ensure that you avoid them because they can be lethal and any interaction might lead to death. However, if they attack you then you should seek immediate medical attention.


In conclusion, Columbia is a country that should be your vacation destination because it promises to deliver some of the best experiences. You will learn more about the people, culture, diversity, fauna, and flora. Besides, there is so much to see and do in the country hence it is a fun place to visit.

Aurimas Bio

Hi there! I’m Aurimas, a man behind Go Look Explore. I’m passionate about hiking, exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, and everything outdoors related. Let’s connect.