Egypt has been on the map now for thousands of years and over the years many exceptional things have happened making it one of the top tourist destinations. Since Egypt borders, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Suez Canal which connects to the Indian Ocean via the red sea makes it is one of the most diverse locations in terms of fauna and flora. Marine life has influenced Africa from the Nile, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean as the Mediterranean connects to the Atlantic and Indian oceans as well. There is a major desert in the western part of the Nile called the Sinai desert. This desert is known to occupy over two-thirds of the country and it is composed of sandy plains and stony areas with some rock plateaus. These has turned Egypt into a diverse biodiversity which is home of many different wonderful wild creatures, including some dangerous animals that you should check below.

Whether you are going to learn more about the history of the country, agriculture, pyramids, or their ancient leadership and how the kings and queens were preserved Egypt promises to deliver an exceptional experience to you. The ancient temples, the pyramids of Giza, and the Suez Canal among other aspects are the main attraction of Egypt and you should put this country as one of your vacation destinations. The country is bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Sinai Peninsula on the Asian part of Egypt. This is where you will find the Gaza strip and Israel.

When planning for your vacation you have to know the destination and the things that you are expecting from this region because when you know this it will make it easy for you to explore the different parts easily.  There is so much that you can explore in this region because despite it being a dry country, so much has been done to ensure that the region has some of the best structures, fauna, and flora. Whether you are visiting Egypt for the first time or you are a returning visitor, there is so much to see and do in the country. However, there are some dangerous creatures that you are likely to encounter during your trip and these include the following:

Caracal

Caracal in Egypt

This is one of the caracals is one of the creatures that you are likely to see in Egypt. It is an iconic desert lynx and it is characterized by a vivid facial coloration and long ear tufts. They are found in different parts of the country and even in the eastern deserts of Egypt. Since they have been hunted by people, they have become very elusive creatures and they are considered an endangered species in North Africa (see: Dangerous animals in Africa).

They usually make sounds associated with felines such as growling, hissing, and even purring. If you meet these creatures during the mating season, they can be very dangerous because the males are attacking as well. On the other hand, when they are nursing their young ones, they can be defensive as well and they are ready to attack any minute if you get close to their young ones.

The Nile crocodile

The Nile Crocodile in Egypt

The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous and humongous creatures that you are going to see in Egypt. The crocodile is a huge creature that is found on the river Nile and these reptiles are the most dangerous because they have very sharp teeth, strong muscles, and very high predatory skills. The Nile crocodiles are rated as some of the biggest crocodiles in the world and they can grow up to 6 meters long and weigh up to 1000 pounds.

The males are usually larger than the females and attacks on humans are common along the river Nile because these crocodiles usually thrive in this environment. They can camouflage well because they hide half of their body in muddy waters and they can easily attack their prey before drowning them in water and crushing the vital organs. The Nile crocodiles are very dangerous creatures and you should avoid them by all means. However, if you are attacked by them then you should seek immediate medical attention.

Saharan striped Polecat

These are popularly called the Libyan striped weasels; they might be tiny creatures but they are associated with a wide array of dangerous infections and carriers of very toxic bacteria. They usually thrive in the north African desert and they are ready to attack whenever they are provoked in their habitat. They are nocturnal burrowers and usually emit a very stinky fume whenever they feel threatened. You must avoid the areas that are inhabited by the striped polecat because you do not know when they can strike.

Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus are found in the river Nile and other wetlands of Egypt. These creatures are usually herbivores and will prefer their natural habitat without interfering with people. However, when they feel provoked, they are going to attack you and this is the main reason that it causes several deaths across the country. Data shows that hippos kill over 500 people every year in Africa. They have a very dangerous iron lock bite and with the 2000 pounds per square force, you are going to be squashed into a paste.

These creatures are humongous and you should avoid their habitat because they tend to be very territorial and will attack without notice. There are no death cases caused by the hippos in Egypt. However, this should not make you feel comfortable and go disturb them in their habitat. You should always keep your distance from these creatures.

Lionfish

This might come as a surprise to many people because of the location of the country and the creature that we are talking about. However, according to recent data, there are lionfish in the red sea and it is essential that if you are thinking of enjoying some watersports then you should remember that you might encounter these creatures in the waters.

They have eleven dorsal fins and these fins are sharp and usually deliver the venom to the victim, some of the symptoms of a lionfish attack include sweating, seizures, fever, neurological problems and if the dosage of the venom is very high it could lead to death. The lionfish usually thrive in the Indo-pacific region; however, studies have shown that they can traverse the planet and now they can be found in the red sea.

Black desert cobra

The black desert cobra is one of the most dangerous cobras that you will find in the desert. This creature thrives in Egypt and most parts of the middle east. This snake usually prefers dry, arid, dusty climates and they are more popular in central Egypt and other parts of the country. The black desert cobra usually grows up to half a meter long and they are usually covered with a dusty black hue with scales that runs from the head to the tail. They usually like the lower temperatures and you are likely to find them in the evening.

There have been no cases reported, however, these snakes are very dangerous and you should avoid the places where they are known to thrive because they can cause fatalities with their deadly venom. The venom from the black desert cobra has neurotoxic and cytotoxic properties and it is known to disrupt the central nervous system and cause permanent organ failure. Some of the symptoms of the bite include breathing difficulties, vomiting, nausea, loss of consciousness, and eventually death.

Aardvark

The aardvark is an ant-eating mammal that usually thrives in sub-Saharan Africa from the north to the savannas of upper Egypt. They might be called the ant bears; however, these creatures can be carriers of deadly bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can cause dangerous diseases. They are territorial as well and when they feel threatened, they are going to attack you and with their sharp claws, there is a chance that it could cause injuries and damage to your organs.

Mosquito

Mosquitoes have become some of the most dangerous creatures in the recent past because of their ability to be carriers of very dangerous diseases. They might be very small but they can carry viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens that can cause very dangerous infections. The mosquitoes in Egypt are mostly found in the wetlands, rice fields, and other marshy places. Malaria is the common infection that many people in Africa are dying from and the female anopheles’ mosquito is the main source of this disease.

The mosquitoes are not limited to malaria alone because they carry viruses and pathogens that can cause diseases such as zika virus, dengue fever, cerebral encephalitis, and Nile fever. It is imperative that before you travel to Egypt you have your yellow vaccine and malaria vaccine if it is available to you. Besides, you should always carry an insect repellant with you especially if you are going to explore the outdoor environment.

Wild Boars

Wild boars

These are some of the dangerous creatures that you are going to encounter during your trip to Egypt. The origin of these creatures is not known and it is believed to be a hybrid of domestic pigs and the native pigs that were roaming around the country. Wild boars are usually harmless creatures because they are omnivores and they consume small creatures among other things. They are characterized by huge tusks, can grow up to 1-meter-tall, and weigh over 300 pounds. These creatures are very territorial especially since they have been under attack for destroying crops. Over time they have developed a very negative approach to humans and they can attack unexpectedly. Some of the places that you should check out these creatures are Egyptian cobra

The Egyptian cobra is one of the snakes that is thriving across North Africa and it is known to be venomous and can cause fatalities within minutes of biting. These snakes usually prefer the Sahara Desert hence they will thrive mostly on the Mediterranean coast and the Nile delta. Most cases that have been reported are on agricultural lands and you must avoid these areas because the cobra will bite you. The venom that is delivered by these snakes is usually neurotoxin and cytotoxic which means that they can cause cell and tissue death. It is critical to understand that when this happens it usually leads to organ failure and eventually death. Some of the symptoms that you are going to experience after a bite from the Egyptian cobra include nausea, vomiting, lowered blood pressure, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, and eventually death. You must seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten by these snakes. During the mating season and when they are nursing a young one.

Egyptian Mongoose

These are some of the endangered creatures that you are going to find in Egypt. They usually inhabit areas along with the Mediterranean and the Sudanese border. The Egyptian mongoose is known to be a diurnal ground creature and they will have their nests in places near water sources. They are less dangerous but carry a wide array of pathogens, viruses, and bacteria among others which often leads to very serious diseases that you can get. It is important that if you are going to check out these creatures then you should always keep some distance to avoid complications that might arise from infections from pathogens from the mongoose.

In conclusion, Egypt offers you the best experience in that you can learn ancient history, and explore the traditions and the religious concepts of the ancient Egyptian people. You should always keep your safety first during your travel to the country.

 

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.