Laos is a stunning, yet not much discovered landlocked country in the heart of Southeast Asia. Mostly covered in dense jungle and rough mountains, Laos is a home of diverse and rare flora and fauna. Its diversity is an ideal ground for dangerous animals, so it is important to learn about dangers before heading to the next adventure.
The nature is stunning, and the people are charming and welcoming, and you get the chance to explore some of the natural features with ease. The country’s beauty is in the karst mountains, limestone scenes, terraced rice paddies, and hidden caves, all of which contribute to the exceptional features of the country.
Here are the most dangerous animals in Laos.
Table of Contents
Water Buffalo
The water buffalo species in Laos are dwindling in numbers, and they are usually the ancestors of the buffaloes that were domesticated for meat and milk. They are also used to plow farms across the country of Laos. Therefore, Laos offers you a unique opportunity to check out the unique environment and explore its famous for.
The male water buffalos are usually more significant than the females, and they can grow up to 2meters tall. You must stay away from these water buffaloes during their calving period. They can be very aggressive with their horns; hence you need to be careful not to threaten them because they can attack.
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Clouded leopard
This is a very remarkable creature, and you will never miss it when you see it. It is covered by cloudlike fur, among those endangered species in the country. They usually reside in the southeast part of Laos in the remote jungle forest. You must take care when exploring different parts of the country because you might encounter clouded leopards. These leopards are well adapted to the rainforest environment, and they have the proper camouflage, and you will never notice them in the rainforests until they have attacked you.
They usually feed on macaques, gibbons, deer, and wild birds. There are few cases of human attack. However, you should not gamble with your life by provoking these leopards. They are pretty dangerous. When these leopards have their young ones or are hungry, they can become very volatile and attack. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid these areas where the leopards reside and when you are attacked, visit the clinic immediately.
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Indochinese tigers
The Indochinese tiger is one of the beasts that exist in Southeast Asia. According to a recent study, the tiger is very dangerous and can attack victims upon sight. These tigers are often in the jungles and the country’s protected areas. When they are fully grown, the tiger can weigh up to 500 pounds and grow up to 100 inches long. The Indochinese tigers are masters of guile and stealth mode. You will never know until you are attacked.
The tigers have very sharp claws and exceptional teeth, and when they bite the victim, they can tear apart the flesh within minutes. Chances of the Indochinese biting you are very rare in Laos; however, there have been several cases that have been reported in the past; hence need to be careful. Since the locals have destroyed the environment, they are now very dangerous and protective.
Sun bear
The sun bears are located in southeast Asia’s dense forests, and you should be careful when you are on your expedition. The sun bear is characterized by a white patch and a bib-shaped golden shape on the chest. They are honey lovers, and you will find them consuming rodents, insects, fruits, and berries.
They are rare animals, and you will never see them during the day. Laos is famous for its rugged terrain, and you will find them thriving in the natural habitat found across the country. The sun bears are hazardous animals, and they can attack any time they feel threatened or attacked. When they have their young ones, or there is no food around the area, they are very dangerous and attack. The most important thing that you must know is that you should remain calm and avoid these animals’ environments.
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Huntsman spider
One of the most common species across the world is the huntsman spider. Since Laos is a tropical climate country, there are so many spider species across the country, and they are all over the place; hence you need to take care. When looking for a place where you will stay, you must check out, and they confirm that there are no spiders in residence.
The huntsman spider in Laos has legs up to 30 centimeters, and it is one of the spiders with the largest limbs in the world. Their bite is usually nasty, and they have a lethal venom that will cause difficulty in breathing, swelling of limbs, vomiting, nausea, among other features. You can interact with these spiders across the country. They are both in the rural and urban areas. Therefore, you should always be careful.
Asian Elephant
Laos is one of the countries in East Asia with a huge elephant population in the jungles. There is an annual festival in the country that celebrates elephants. The Asian elephants can grow up to 2.5 meters tall and weigh up to a ton. It is important to note that they can be very dangerous when they are threatened.
Elephants usually attack by trampling or hitting the victim with long and sharp tusks. Whenever you are exploring the country, and you want to see the elephants, it is recommended that you stay at a safe distance to prevent any injury that may come with an attack. There are a few cases of elephants killing people. However, this is because the locals know their habits and handle them. As a tourist, you should stay away from these animals.
Mosquitos
Laos experiences a tropical climate, which means that the country experiences large amounts of rain throughout the year. When this happens, mosquitos usually thrive in stagnant waters. They are some of the most dangerous animals in southeast Asia because they cause many diseases such as the Zika virus, dengue fever, and malaria.
Mosquito bites are usually painful and uncomfortable, and Laos experiences malarial death of 4 in a hundred thousand people. It is important to note that you can carry a mosquito repellant and sleep under a mosquito net when you are exploring Laos.
Pygmy Slow Loris
This unique animal is usually nocturnal, and it is very active at night. The fluffy coat often characterizes them, and big eyes and some people in the country have been capturing them and keeping them as pets. However, it does always work because they remain with their innate animal nature.
Pygmy slow lorises are usually omnivores and have very sharp chisel-shaped teeth that can bite into the prey quickly. Whenever these creatures are threatened, they emit poison from the branchial gland, and when the poison comes into contact with your skin, it can be very itchy and may cause swelling. Therefore, it is better to stay away from these animals.
Spindle horn
This unique animal is classified as an endangered species and is close relative to antelopes. Since Spindle horn is a rare species, many have been under constant attack; hence, they become very aggressive and will always attack whenever they feel threatened. They have horns, and they can attack the victim whenever they think their young or habitat is threatened. In Laos, they are often found in the thick forests, and they move very fast through the woods.
Monocled Cobra
This is one of the most dangerous animals in Laos, and when you are traversing the country, you should take a lot of care because the monocled cobra is a vicious creature that can cause severe injuries to the victim. They are often popular in Malaysia and Thailand. When visiting the country, you should be careful about the places you are seeing because this will determine the kind of dangerous creatures you will be dealing with during your trip.
The snake venom is dangerous because it causes necrosis, paralysis, breathing difficulties, and eventual death. It is one of the most aggressive creatures; hence you should not gamble your life with creatures that you are not aware of how they operate. You can easily know the monocle cobra because they raise their head and make a hissing sound before biting. In addition, they have dorsal patterns with speckles that run down its back. When bitten, you should visit your physician as soon as possible.
Black bear
The Asian black bear is popular across the south and central Asian continent. They are famous for their consumption of fruits, and Laos is not left behind either. They are omnivores, and they consume insects, nuts, small rabbits. The black bear is usually nocturnal, and during the night, they come out to look for food.
When looking for food, they can be vicious, and you should avoid their habitat. The black bear does not attack humans unless provoked, hence the need to prevent their environment or provoke them during your trip. The number of black bears is decreasing because they are being hunted for medications. In some parts of Laos, they are a delicacy hence the dwindling numbers. If the black bear attacks you, you should visit a clinic immediately.
In conclusion, when visiting Laos, you should know the animals present in the country. Whenever you encounter dangerous animals, it is always better to call for help and seek medical attention when you are attacked.
