The Netherlands is one of the top destinations that you should visit during your vacation and the nature in Netherlands is exceptionally beautiful, but what are the dangerous animals in the Netherlands you can find?
The country offers a wide array of things that you can do and there is so much that you can learn from the Dutch history, the waterways, and the systems that are in the country among other things. When you land at Schiphol Amsterdam airport then you know you have arrived in the Netherlands because the beauty of the country is all over.
The country is located in Western Europe and it borders Belgium, Germany, and the North Sea. The country is very diverse because of the climatic conditions and the work that was put during the reclamation of the land in the area. There is nothing as charming as the cities and the villages in the major regions of the Netherlands. The tranquility of the town outside the capital is exceptional and you will get to enjoy your vacation in the region.
You will see the tulip farms and you get to explore the flower farms in the country. It is a perfect location to get your refreshing holiday.
The people in the Netherlands are welcoming and you will enjoy your stay in the country. As much as many people speak Dutch, English is widely spoken in the Netherlands and you should consider the country as one of the locations that you will visit during your vacation.
The coastal provinces allow you to enjoy watersports and other fun activities as you move around. You will find traditional fishermen. You should make a point of visiting the villages to taste the original traditional Dutch dishes.
You can sample amazing cuisine as well as their two-layered waffles among other iconic Dutch dishes. People in the Netherlands often enjoy riding their bicycles and you are going to find them used everywhere. If you want to enjoy moving around by riding a bicycle then this is the perfect destination for you.
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Why Visit the Netherlands?
The best location that you can visit on the planet is exploring the Netherlands. The country guarantees you nothing but the best because it is an urban country and even with this, there are national parks in the country. There are over 27000 animal species that you are going to find in the Netherlands. There are some species that are endemic to the Netherlands and you will never find them anywhere else in the world. You must take your time to explore what the country offers by visiting all the habitats where the wildlife thrives on. Since the climate in the country is maritime, you will find all kinds of sea and land animals. However, you should be careful as well because some of these creatures can be very dangerous. Some of the dangerous animals that you are going to find in the Netherlands include:
Hedgehogs
These are some of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to find in Holland. They are often in their natural habitat. They can be seen especially at night because they are mostly nocturnal creatures and you will identify them by their spikes. The hedgehogs usually have very sharp spikes and they can usually attack if you surprise them. The spikes are very dangerous because they can pierce through the skin and cause some serious damage, especially if it gets infected. Avoit petting the hedgehogs, even though they look very cute and friendly. It is still a wild animal. You should stay away from the areas that are inhabited by hedgehogs. They are known to consumer caterpillars, snails, worms, and other kinds of creatures.
Further reading: Dangerous animals in Hawaii
Jellyfish
These are some of the most dangerous creatures to avoid if you are going to explore the waters in the Netherlands. They are known to thrive in the ocean and they have very long tentacles. These tentacles have harpoon-like hooks, which are used to deliver the venom. Many people tend to miss the jellyfish because they camouflage in the blue waters hence you might not see them. However, a proper sting from the jellyfish is what you will remember because they deliver venom that is instantaneous and very painful. The venom can cause loss of consciousness, failure of the lungs, and abnormal heart rhythm. If you do not visit a clinic immediately, it might result in fatalities.
Fox
You might assume that the Netherlands do not have foxes, however, this is not true because you will find them thriving in their natural habitat. These creatures are very dangerous because they can attack you at any moment. It is vital that you look for the best location that you should visit because you do not want to interfere with them in their natural habitat. They have a very sharp sense of smell, sharp teeth, and claws. When you encounter the foxes then you must stay calm because any motion will be perceived as a threat and they may end up attacking you. They are often characterized by brown fur and white and black patches on their body.
They are usually nocturnal creatures and you will find them traversing the country at night. You must stay away from the areas that are inhabited by the foxes and avoid any attack that they might try to do on you. Besides, these foxes are carriers of rabies and when they bite you, they are likely to transfer the bacteria that will cause rabies to you.
Kissing bug
Perhaps when people talk about the Netherlands, the only country that comes into mind is the one in Western Europe. The kingdom of the Netherlands covers the Caribbean as well. This is where you will find the kissing bugs. These are creatures that often thrive in the warm tropical climate. These bugs got the name kissing bugs because they are known ton to bite people on the mouth and face hence the name. These bugs are very dangerous because they are carriers of very infectious diseases and they carry bacteria that cause Chagas diseases.
If the bugs are not eradicated, they can cause permanent organ and tissue damage. They usually grow up to 2.5 centimeters long and they are coned-shaped. They usually thrive in the evening hence, if you are planning to explore the Dutch territories in the evening then you should be wary of these creatures. Some of the symptoms that you are going to experience when these insects bite you include the following. Swelling of the affected area, cough abdominal pains, fever, nausea, and feeling of great discomfort. When traveling to areas that are prone to a huge number of bugs then you should carry a spray with you.
Wild boar
The wild boars are some of the dangerous creatures that you are going to find in the Netherlands. These creatures are dark and pig-like with a pointy snout and tusks that are used to dig for food in the wild. They are omnivorous in nature and will consume anything that is on their path. You should watch out for these creatures especially when they are very hungry and food is scarce. The wild boars are usually shy and live in the dark areas while scavenging for their food and they will rarely attack people. Do not be confused by their cute babies and think that these creatures are docile and that they will not attack you. They usually have very strong tusk and muscles and they can charge at you. They are dangerous when they have given birth to their young ones and during mating season. During these periods, you should avoid the areas that are inhabited by wild boars. Many wild boars are living in Holland and you will them in the central parks and the southern provinces.
Wolves
Many people tend to assume that there are no wolves in the Netherlands. However, this is not the case because wolves were spotted in 2015 along the German border. More and more have been spotted across the country and it is imperative to note that these creatures are very dangerous and that you should not joke around them. The wolves have a very sharp sense of smell and hence will spot food at any moment. The wolves are territorial in nature and with the conservation ongoing in Holland, the numbers of these animals continue to rise.
They have very sharp claws, and teeth and will attack you whenever they feel threatened or when you trespass on their habitat. The wolves are often in the wild searching for their food. You should not interfere with their natural habitat because these creatures are thriving there and they can be very aggressive.
Roe deer
The roe deer is one of the animals that you will find in the Netherlands. They are often living in groups of two or three depending on their habitat. In most cases, you will find them thriving in their natural habitat. You might spot them in the thick bushes and they are often thriving in this habitat. They usually come out at night and you can see them moving from one part of the country to the other. They can be volatile and dangerous especially when they have their babies around. They will stand straight before charging or running into the forest. If you are attacked by these animals then you should seek immediate medical care.
Ticks
The ticks are some of the dangerous creatures that you are going to find in the Netherlands. These creatures may seem small because they grow a few centimeters and they often thrive in grasses and bushes. However, they are very dangerous because they are carriers of very dangerous infections. You should avoid the areas where there are large numbers of ticks or always wear protective gear to ensure that you are safe and they will not bite you. The ticks usually cling to the host and they suck the blood. This blood is used for nutrition and they can then lay so many eggs they drop off the host once they are full of blood. The blood is then used to nourish their bodies before they hatch the eggs into new ticks. The cycle begins again from small ticks sucking blood to adults laying eggs. They usually carry Lyme bacteria and this bacterium is known to cause Lyme disease. About 3 % of the people who have been bitten by ticks usually get Lyme disease.
Fer-de-lance snake
This is a snake that is known to like the lowlands in the coastal region. They are known for their dangerous venom and when they bite, they deliver a highly potent venom that can kill hence the need to be careful. These snakes usually thrive in residential habitats and it is one of the most dangerous snakes that you can encounter. They are very aggressive and defensive in nature. When you find yourself in their habitat then they are likely to attack by biting you. The snake venom is hemotoxic, which means that it will cause the death of cells and tissues. This is very dangerous as it may lead to organ damage and failure. When this happens, you might lose functionalities in vital organs. The snake can grow up to six feet long and can move very fast, especially in grassy areas.
Edelhert
This is the red deer and it is one of the largest deer-like animals in Europe. During the summer period, you will find them moving from one region to another. They are very shy creatures and you will find them moving from one part to another. They usually have reddish-brownish fur. The males have very large antlers and these are often used during fighting. It is essential that you stay at a distance from the red deer because during the mating season, the males will be fighting and you do not want to come in between the antler’s fight. The females are also very dangerous when they have their kids hence you should keep your distance when exploring their habitat. During the winter period, their fur usually turns greyish and they can live up to twenty-five years hence they are unique creatures.
FAQ about dangerous animals in the Netherlands
Are there poisonous snakes in the Netherlands?
Only three kinds of snakes are found in the Netherlands and the viper is the only venomous snake. The viper is also the smallest snake of them all, growing just up to 65 centimeters in length. A male viper is gray and females are brown.
Does the Netherlands have predators?
The badger and the wolf are the biggest predators in the Netherlands.
Are there venomous spiders in the Netherlands?
You can find three kinds of venomous spiders in the Netherlands:
False Widow Spiders – their bite can cause some medical problems to people with pre-existing conditions.
Rabbit hutch spiders – their bite can cause rash and skin problems.
Wolf spiders – their bites can cause some pain, but are not considered dangerous.
Are there sharks in the Netherlands?
