Iraq or what is officially known as the Republic of Iraq is a country that is situated in western Asia, it has a fascinating wildlife, so what dangerous animals in Iraq you can find?
The country is bordered by Iran to the east, Turkey to the north, Kuwait to the south east, Saudi Arabia to the south, Syria to the west, and Jordan to the southwest. This is one of the iconic destinations in the world when the name comes up people often think about the Iraqi war. However, there is so much that the country can offer apart from its less glamorous past. The capital Baghdad is one of the locations where you will find diverse ethnic groups from Persians, Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, and Armenians among others.
The geography of the country means that the area usually experiences a hot and arid climate with some kind of subtropical influence. The summer temperatures are usually high and the winter is average. The amount of rainfall received in this region is moderate to low and this is essential for the semi-arid and arid fauna and flora.
The northern parts of the country experience winter which are coupled with heavy snowing and this cause flooding once the temperatures rise. Climate change is significant in Iraq and it has resulted in an increase of temperatures, this has come with dangerous effects on the available plants and animals. Iraq experiences some of the driest climates and if you are going to explore this region then you should be ready for some of the worst temperatures that you are going to experience on the planet. The climate has been changing over the years and environmental conservation has been on the low hence causing significant changes to the vegetation and the creatures that you are going to find in the country.
There are some creatures that you are going to find in the desert and these are very poisonous animals. Some parts can support the life of some of the common species. Here are the dangerous animals and creatures that you are going to find in Iraq.
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Asiatic lion
Perhaps this is one of the dangerous animals that you are going to find in Iraq. These lions are usually in the diverse biomes that are located in the mountainous region where there are forests. However, this species is endangered and you might rarely see it because they are hidden deep in the oasis. The lion is similar to regular African lions, however, they are smaller in size. The lions usually have very sharp teeth and claws and it is important to understand that they make some of the most dangerous species that you can find in the region. The lions are very territorial. Whenever anything comes into their habitat then they are likely to attack at any moment. In the event that you see them then you should keep a safe distance because you do not know how these lions are going to respond.
Scorpions
These are some of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to find in Iraq, they are usually found in most parts of the country. These species are very dangerous and you should avoid the areas that these scorpions are inhabiting.
Further reading: Dangerous animals in Turkey
The scorpions usually have a pincer in their tail and this pincer is very dangerous because it usually delivers venom to the victim. The venom is neurotoxic and usually interacts with the central nervous system and they usually cause death if antivenom is not administered immediately.
Persian Onager
The Persian onager or Asian wild ass is one of the most dangerous animals that you are going to find in this region. The onager is smaller when compared to the other subspecies of the Asian wild ass in the region. They are usually characterized by short tails, and red coats and can weigh about 500 pounds. The male species are larger than females and they usually thrive in the desert and the mountain region of Iraq. You must stay away from these creatures because they are very dangerous.
They usually attack people whenever you are in their territory. They can kick or bite. The onagers are carriers of dangerous bacteria and when they attack you, they are likely to infect you with tetanus hence the need to be very careful. They usually like the vegetation, grasses, herbs, and foliage around the country. Their numbers are usually high when the weather is favorable.
Desert Horned Viper
The desert-horned viper is one of the snakes that you are going to find thriving in the habitats of Iraq. They are usually characterized by their thick bodies and they can grow up to 20 inches long and they cannot exceed 2 feet long.
They have horns that extend above the eye and they are usually found thriving in their natural habitat. They have dark blotches which extend along their bodies. these snakes are usually known to thrive in the sandy parts of the Iraqi and they can disappear into the sand within a few seconds. They usually bury themselves in the sand and their eyes, nostrils, and horns remain above the surface. The desert horned viper usually comes out at night and they are usually very dangerous during this period.
Golden Jackal
The golden jackal is another creature that you should be careful of when moving around Iraq. They are also known as the common jackal and they are similar to coyotes weighing about 20 pounds. These golden jackals are characterized by fluffy long ears, and the color will vary depending on the habitat in which you will find them. When traversing the country, you should be careful about these creatures because they usually carry a wide array of bacteria, which can prove to be dangerous.
They are usually carnivorous in nature and you will find them searching for food in the wild. They have sharp teeth and claws hence the need to avoid their areas. They usually hunt in groups hence the attack can be very dangerous.
Persian Fallow Deer
This is among the creatures that you should watch out for during your trip to Iraq. The Persian fallow deer is characterized by their unique coat, which varies from black, and brown to pure with some amazing spots. The fallow deer is closely related to the deer and they have very sharp and big antlers. During their mating season, these creatures are very dangerous because they can attack at any moment.
In addition, you should not move closer to these creatures when they have their young ones because the mothers can be very aggressive. They have very good vision and they can communicate with vocal sounds at night. They are endangered species in Iraq because of human poaching and other human activities.
Indian Crested Porcupine
The Indian crested porcupine is one of the most dangerous species that you are going to encounter during your trip to Iraq. These creatures are usually found in the forests, thickets, hillsides, and scrublands across the Iraqi land. They are usually nocturnal in nature and you should be careful because they usually have quills that are sixteen inches and they can release them whenever they are feeling threatened.
These porcupines are usually herbivores and they consume fruits, roots, and grains among others. The people in the region have been hunting them for meat and this has caused these creatures to be very aggressive and can attack at any moment. You must keep your distance from them if you are going to explore the regions where these porcupines are found.
Wild goats
Perhaps this is the most hunted creature in Iraq. These creatures are found thriving in the wild and you are going to see them in the hills and valleys of Iraq. There are over 250 wild goat species in the country and these are known to be in the rocky areas, shrublands, forests, and grasslands in the country. Poaching, hunting, and other human activities have pushed these creatures into a big threat to survival.
It is imperative to note that they are dangerous especially when they have their young ones around or during the mating season. These goats have very sharp horns and they can attack whenever they are feeling threatened hence the need to avoid their habitat.
Goitered Gazelle
The black-tailed gazelle is one of the creatures that you are going to find in the region. It is essential to understand that these gazelles are known to roam the lands of Iraq and they have an enlargement on their throat hence the name goitered gazelle. They are usually with brown fur, patches of white on the face, white bellies, and short and black tails.
These gazelles are known to inhabit the grasslands, mountain valleys, deserts, and semi-deserts of Iraq. It is essential that you avoid them especially when they have young deer because they can be aggressive and hit you with their sharp antlers. These gazelles usually graze in groups and you should avoid them because they can be very dangerous.
Caucasian squirrel
This is a tiny creature that you are going to find in the hills and valleys of Iraq. The creature is usually around 35 centimeters long and weighs about a pound. They are often characterized by their pale grey or greyish brown fur. The Caucasian squirrel is thriving in the pine forests and mixed temperate oak among other places such as rocks, and crevices in the region.
They usually feed on seeds, pine corn, fruits, and nuts among other things. These squirrels are carriers of dangerous bacteria and viruses, it is essential to note that if you encounter them then you should keep a safe distance. They do not attack humans, however, their droppings and the areas that they have inhabited are full of bacteria and you might catch an infection by being in their habitat.
Desert foxes
The desert foxes are some of the creatures that you are going to find thriving in the Iraqi lands. These creatures are usually thriving in their natural habitat and they are known to be some of the dangerous species that you are going to encounter during your trip to the region. These desert foxes have been pushed to the tiny parts of the country in the wild. It is imperative that since human activities have been so rampant, the wildlife are pushed to the brink of extinction. It is for these reasons that they have become so aggressive and will attack you at any moment.
The foxes are characterized by their sharp claws and teeth. These creatures are known to have very dangerous bacteria that are going to cause rabies among other dangerous infections. In the event that you are attacked by these creatures then you should seek immediate medical attention.
Saw-Scaled Viper
These are some of the tiniest yet very dangerous snakes that you are going to find in Iraq. They usually grow up to a maximum of 2 feet long which is about 20 inches long. Depending on the region that you are visiting, these snakes usually vary in color from tan, brown, greyish to reddish. You must watch out for them when traversing the country.
The snake has a dorsum that is equipped with three rows of dark blotches. They usually have patterns that vary from stripes to a wavy pattern. The best way that you can distinguish the saw scale viper is by looking at the arrow-shaped marking on top of the head. The saw-scaled viper is responsible for hundreds of deaths annually. It is important that you keep a safe distance from these creatures because they can be very fatal. The venom is known to affect the central nervous system then causing the failure of the neurons, the heart, and the breathing system.
Kurdistan Viper
The Kurdistan viper is one of the dangerous snakes that you are going to find in the Kurdish region of Iraq. These vipers are usually montane species and thrive in the slope region and the higher elevations of the region. The Kurdish vipers are dangerous because whenever they find the victim, they bite them and deliver very dangerous venom.
The venom is known to attack the central nervous system which in turn will cause the failure of the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system causing death. If you are attacked by the viper then you should go to a clinic immediately because it may end up in a fatality
