Saudi Arabia or what is internationally called the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a nation that is located in western Asia in the Arabian Peninsula, in the country you can find huge, enormous and vast desert areas with fascinating wildlife, so what dangerous animals in Saudi Arabia you can meet?

It is the second largest country in the Arab world and it is bordered by the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and the Persian Gulf to the east, Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait to the north, and the red sea to the west.  Saudi Arabia is the only country that has both coastlines along the Persian Gulf and the red sea and the land usually consists of mountains, steppes, lowlands, and arid deserts. The major cities are mecca and Riyad. It is also popular as a religious country because it hosts medina and mecca which are considered the top holiest cities in Islam. When you choose to travel to Saudi Arabia you are giving yourself a taste of the middle east and it is a perfect opportunity to see what people do in other cultures around the globe.  There is so much that you will learn in this country because of the diversity of the people, the land, and the biome in the nation.

When you think about the Arabian countries all that may come to your mind is desert, and dust among others. However, as this is the case for most countries, Saudi has some unique places that it is going to give you a different perspective of the region.  Saudi Arabia is one of the safest countries in the middle east and you should ensure that you explore the region.  There are several historical sites, and beautiful landscapes, and you have the best chance to see Saudi Arabia in the best possible light in the region. You will learn so much when you visit this region because your perception will be changed by the friendliness of the people and the best tourist destinations.

How Do You Get to Saudi Arabia?

It is important to understand that until the recent decade traveled to Saudi Arabia for ideally religious reasons only. However, the ban on other kinds of travel was lifted by the crown prince and the country has begun embracing other forms of tourism and attracting people from around the globe.  There are numerous flights that will take you from mainland Europe or the United States to Saudi Arabia.  The country is now open to tourism and leisure activities and this will give you a chance to see a different dimension of the Arab world.  Saudi Arabia is the safest country in the region and there is no terrorism and very low crime rates. However, it is essential that when visiting this country, you observe the religious rules and regulations that have been put in place so that you do not come into conflict with the local people.

Exploring Saudi Arabia is a lifetime experience that you should never miss because it will give you a different dimension of the Arab world. The desert stretches across the country and you will see camels and oilfields across the country. There are different creatures that you are likely to encounter during your trip to Saudi Arabia. It is imperative to understand that you should be well prepared for your journey to the region. When you have everything in place then it is easier for you to navigate through different locations. Here are some of the dangerous iconic creatures that you might encounter during your trip.

Indian saw-scaled viper

Perhaps this is one of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to encounter during your trip to Saudi Arabia. It is found in most parts of Saudi Arabia and it is known to be one of the most dangerous snakes that you are going to find in the region. The snake has very deadly venom and it is known to thrive even in highly populated areas of the country.  They are small in size and this makes them dangerous animals that can hide anywhere on the homesteads. They can as well bury themselves in the sand and they have a very powerful spring attack.

These snakes usually consume things such as lizards, frogs, and other rodents.  They usually do not go for larger animals. However, you should not rule anything out because whenever the Indian saw-scaled viper is threatened then it is going to attack you. Some of the side effects of the venom include intense pains, irregular heart rhythm, breathing difficulties, and eventually loss of body function such as breathing and regular heart rhythm.  In a single bite, this snake can inject 12 milligrams of venom. It is important to understand that just 5 milligrams of venom are enough to kill an adult. If you are attacked by the snake then you should seek immediate medical attention.

Striped Hyena

The striped hyena is found in northern Saudi Arabia and you must take your time to know the area that you are visiting. When you know this then it is easier for you to explore the region with ease.  While the attacks on humans are rare, it is critical that you should not rule out anything because they are often found thriving around the country.

The striped hyenas thrive around Saudi Arabia and you should check out their natural habitat to avoid any altercation with these creatures.

Arabian gulf sea snake

The Arabian gulf sea snake is one of the most popular snakes around the middle east.  They are snakes that are known to thrive underwater and around water bodies. Although they might be very dangerous animals, it is important to note that the Arabian snake is not very venomous when compared to other creatures. It is integral that you always take your time to evaluate your choice, especially on the places that you are going to visit because when you do this then you can enjoy your time in the region. The venom from the snake is known to affect the central nervous system and some of the effects include intense pain, damage to the nervous system, breathing difficulties, swelling, and numbness of the region.

These snakes usually like to hang around the shallow waters in the Persian and red sea coastal waters.  They usually eat fish and the venom acts more like an enzyme to consume the food. Always avoid the areas that are infested by these snakes.

Camel Spider

The camel spider is found in different parts of the country.  There are a lot of rumors and stories about the camel spiders, some of the outrageous claims include that they can feed on camels, can chase people or it can grow to the size of a basketball. In as much as the stories might be farfetched, it is imperative to note that the camel spider has very dangerous features.  You will find them in the arid and semi-arid lands of Saudi Arabia.

A third of the body size of the spider is the mandibles and it has a hairy body with ferocious characteristics and it can grow up to 15 inches long. They usually do not attack humans, however, when they feel threatened then they are likely to attack you. You should take your time to understand the area that you are visiting as this will help you avoid the challenges of encountering these creatures.  Some of the side effects of the bites from the spider include severe swelling, chest pains, and even difficulty breathing.

Deathstalker Scorpion

The deathstalker scorpion is one of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to encounter during your trip to Saudi Arabia. It is important to note that they usually thrive in the desert with high temperatures and a single sting from this scorpion is enough to cause convulsions, abdominal cramps, headaches, nausea, and excessive fluid in the lungs eventually causing death.  The scorpions usually like to thrive under the rocks and they like abandoned burrows among other colder areas where they can escape the harsh climate of this region.

However, when the temperatures drop slightly then you might find these creatures thriving around the region. You must avoid them as much as possible because they pose a potential threat to your life. The scorpions usually consume termites, crickets, and beetles among other smaller creatures around the region.  If you are stung by the scorpion then you should seek immediate medical attention because the effects of the venom continue to build up and may result in death.

Samsum Ant

Perhaps this is one of the tiniest creatures but the most dangerous that you are going to find in Saudi Arabia. The Samsum ant is among the most dangerous creatures that you are going to encounter during your trip to Saudi Arabia. They are known to be very dangerous because they have a huge amount of venom that can cause paralysis of the major vital organs. The sting from the ant is so venomous that is known to cause anaphylactic shock.  These Samsum ants are known to have hairy limbs long legs, and large eyes, and the ants can be very dangerous.

These ants usually like to thrive in the savannas, and open forests and usually consume insects and seeds. It is essential to note that the effect can be dangerous, especially to people who are highly allergic because can cause the failure of major bodily functions such as the heart and lungs.

Arabian fat-tailed scorpion

The Arabian fat-tailed scorpion is one of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to find in Saudi Arabia.  These scorpions usually are known to thrive under crevices, rocks, and other parts of arid reasons.  The scorpion collection in Saudi Arabia is quite vast and this can be very dangerous. The black scorpion is known for its popular black color and it is a very dangerous creature that can grow up to ten centimeters long. This scorpion has three eyes instead of two and this is known to cause very dangerous side effects to the victim.

The Arab fat-tailed scorpion is similar to the death scorpion; however, it is a very dangerous creature. These scorpions usually like to hide in crevices and other dark areas and they hunt for small insects and spiders during the day.  They can bite at any time hence the need to avoid them as much as possible because the bites are venomous and can be fatal when not dealt with immediately.  some of the side effects of the venom from the scorpions include swelling, redness, intense pain, respiratory issues, heart malfunctions, and internal bleeding. These side effects are very dangerous because they can lead to death if it is not reversed. It is essential to understand that if you are stung by a scorpion then you should seek immediate medical attention.

Common viper

The common viper is a snake that you are going to find in different parts of Saudi Arabia. It is imperative to understand that you are likely to encounter it during your trip to the region. It is essential that you must avoid the areas that are often inhabited by the common viper. This is important because you get to avoid the chances of causing death.  The common viper is also called the common adder in Saudi Arabia and as much as their venom cannot be as dangerous as that of the Indian saw-scaled viper, it is still viable and can cause severe side effects including death.

A single bite from the snake is known to cause blood blisters, excessive swelling, pain, irregular heart rhythm, and even difficulty breathing. The conditions are irreversible and they are known to cause permanent organ damage and eventually death. One of the most fundamental things that you should do during your trip is that you watch out for the areas that are often inhabited by these snakes. In the event that you are attacked by the common viper then you should visit the doctor immediately and this is vital because it will help you avoid organ damage.

Arabian Leopard

The Arabian leopard is one of the creatures that you are going to encounter during your trip to Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to find in the country. This creature has very strong teeth and muscles and it is known to be very dangerous in that it can attack livestock and humans as well. It is imperative that you keep your distance from such creatures because any failure could result in fatalities.

They usually consume hedgehogs and gazelles among others.  However, because of the scarcity of food around the country at times, the leopard often will move out of its habitat to the human-inhabited areas and it can pose a major threat.

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.