Turkey is one of the best tourist destinations in eastern Europe. There are so many cultural heritage, diversity, ancient structures, and amazing people ready to show you what the country is made of. You are sure that you will enjoy your next visit to Turkey. The accommodation in Turkey is among the most luxurious globally. You are confident that you will enjoy your trip to the eastern European country. There are so many places you should visit or things you can do in Turkey. It is important to remember that Turkey has over 8000 kilometers of coastline. Therefore, you can enjoy all the watersports you have been thinking about. As the country is officially known, the Republic of Turkey is a transcontinental country situated in western Asia and eastern Europe.

Turkey has several neighbors such as Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran, and Syria on the east. Since Turkey borders so many countries around it, the country’s culture is very rich. You can find different cuisines and diversity that you can enjoy during your visit. When visiting Turkey, it does not matter whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or want to chill out and explore the city. You can learn so much from Turkey because of the amazing features and the activities available for tourists. You are not limited to watersports, yachting, rock climbing, hiking, mountaineering, cycling, skiing, or hot air ballooning. The entertainment scene in Turkey is fantastic, especially in the capital Istanbul and other major cities such as Ankara. You can enjoy a fantastic time in the Mediterranean climate or the Eastern European part of the country.

Dangerous animals in Turkey

Since Turkey has rich waters and seas, it is also rich in fauna and flora. There are so many animals you will see in Turkey, whether regular or aggressive. Since Turkey covers western Asia and eastern Europe, it is a rich geographic diversity for wildlife. Some of the dangerous animals you are likely to encounter on your trip to Turkey include:

Spiders

Spiders in Turkey

One of the most dangerous creatures you can encounter during your trip to Turkey is venomous spiders. The brown recluse spider is a common phenomenon. Their yellow and black colors often characterize them. When you see spiders in your room, there is a high chance that they are recluse spiders because they like the warm Mediterranean climate that is in Turkey. The southeastern shoreline of the border is the Mediterranean Sea. The warm temperatures are known to bring with it other creatures.

The spiders are the top most creatures that can be very dangerous. The spiders will sting and leave lethal venom in your body. The venom is known to cause cell lysis, difficulty in breathing, and organ failure. If you find that you have been stung by a spider, you must consult your physician immediately. The venom from a spider can kill a person when it is not treated with immediate effect.

Further reading: Dangerous animals in Iceland

Snakes

Turkey’s environment creates a warm Mediterranean feel. This is has encouraged different species to thrive and they including the snakes. There are over forty snake species in Turkey. They are all dangerous in the context that you should not play with any of them. They are very poisonous. A bite from the snake can lead to severe paralysis and, in some cases, organ failure.

Most of the snake bites in Turkey occur on the mainland because of the forests and the arid lands. These snakes are known to thrive in such environments, and when you are visiting the country and you want to hike, you need to take precautions. Ideally, when you are visiting Turkey, it is better to talk with your host to give you an insight into the region before you can begin your trip.

Further reading: Dangerous animals in Croatia

Mosquitos

Mosquitos in Turkey

These are some dangerous creatures as much as they are tiny, and people assume they are harmless. Since the climate in Turkey is in the Mediterranean, and the landmass often experiences ocean and sea currents, there is a large population of mosquitoes in the country. Therefore, it is imperative that when you are visiting Turkey, it is better that you have your malaria vaccine or medication available to you.

Besides, you can also include mosquito repellant to avoid any challenges that may arise in a situation where they bite you. There are so many diseases that the mosquitoes carry currently, from malaria, zika virus to dengue fever. If you know that mosquitoes have bitten you and you are not vaccinated, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Further reading: Dangerous animals in Jamaica

Centipedes

Centipedes in Turkey

Turkey is home to some of the dangerous centipedes in the world. The country has a higher population of centipedes, which is dangerous because it can contribute to dangerous venomous centipedes living in the environment. According to data from the health ministry, there are over five thousand centipede bites in Turkey, mainly for people living in rural Turkey. Therefore, if you are traveling to Turkey and looking to explore the country, it is essential to understand that the dynamism of these creatures can be unpredictable.

Therefore, you should take your time to know the place you are visiting because this will help you significantly make the right decision. Nevertheless, the centipedes have been known to bite anyone; it is essential to note that you should seek immediate medical attention if a centipede bites you.

Jellyfish

This is one of the creatures that will surprise you with a significant sting. There is overfishing in the Mediterranean Sea, and the number of fish in the region has reduced immensely. It is critical to note that you should avoid jellyfish infest areas because they can be pretty lethal. When visiting Turkey, exploring different areas is important because it gives you a chance to enjoy the fauna and flora of the country.

However, you should observe extreme caution because there are different species of jellyfish in the country. These jellyfish are usually pale blue, and you can assume that they are not venomous. However, when they sting you, you will feel excruciating pain. Therefore, you must always be cautious when swimming in the sea or ocean.

Bears

Many people tend to assume that there are no bears in Turkey. However, recent reports indicate that there are multiple bears in the country, and you should be careful when moving across the country because they can attack you. The Syrian brown bear is located in the deep forest of the nation, and when doing your outdoor activities, you should be vigilant to avoid any problems that you may encounter with this species.

These bears are characterized by light straw color fur, and there is usually a dark stripe that runs across the back. They are mostly located in western and central Turkey. When doing your exploration, you should always be aware of your environment to prevent any problem that may arise during the process. You should see a doctor immediately if a bear bites you.

The brown bear

This is a different species of bear located in Turkey, and it is mainly on the Black Sea coastline. The area is rich in dense forests and tall mountains, creating a perfect environment for these bears to thrive. You must be careful when exploring the different parts of the town. The coastal area of the Black sea is home to thousands of brown bears, and as much as they seem very cute, they are very dangerous and can inflict pain on the victim.

It is important to note that the brown bears are the largest land animals in Turkey. These Turkeys usually grow up to 700 pounds and can grow to 8 feet tall. The brown bears can achieve a speed of up to 60 kilometers per hour hence the need to be careful. Most of the bears that usually attack people are those with cubs. Since deer and wild boars are not controlled in the country, the bears have been left without food. Hence, they have become very dangerous, exploring different areas for food.

Scorpions

Scorpions in Turkey

The scorpions found in Turkey are pretty dangerous because they attack with their fangs. The venom in the scorpions is known to paralyze the victims, cause breathing difficulties, and eventually death in a case where the amount of venom is too high. The wandering scorpion in Turkey is one of the most dangerous creatures you can find in the country.

The scorpion is found on the southeastern coast, which is a critical part of the country. You should explore different places and take caution when visiting these areas because, more often than not, you can be bitten by the scorpions if you are not careful. If a scorpion bites you, you must seek medical attention immediately.

Ottoman viper

The ottoman viper is one of the most dangerous snakes in Turkey. It is mostly located on the coastline along the Mediterranean and black sea. They are the largest and most dangerous snakes in Turkey. When visiting and exploring the country, you should take care because it can cause dangerous wounds to you. The venom from the snake is known to cause paralysis, organ failure, breathing difficulties, blurred vision, and death. These vipers usually consume rodents such as rats, small rabbits, and other small animals.

However, when they are hungry and looking for food, you should not appear to disturb them because they can be pretty defensive and inflict wounds on you. You are likely to see the ottoman viper along the coast as a zigzag pattern on the back characterizes it, and there is a line ranging from deep black and beige running across the body. They can grow up to a meter long and have very dangerous fangs. The ottoman viper is known to attack even without provocation, hence avoiding the areas where they live.

Anatolian viper

The Anatolian viper is usually one of those snakes that you can rarely find them. They usually live in the forests, fantastic ridges, and the mountainous part of Turkey. It is imperative to note that these are endangered species, and you should be very careful in handling them because they can be very dangerous with venom.

They have fangs that can be used to deliver venom that will cause organ failure, breathing problems, and possible death if it is not treated with immediate effect. The vipers usually thrive in areas with thick grass and wildflower fields, mainly in the southern region of Turkey. They have a squiggling black or brown back. Although this viper can be reserved, it is better to avoid it if you interact with it in the forests.

European adder

This is a common adder that is found in the enormous European continent. It is imperative that when you are visiting the region, you should be careful and stay safe because they can be pretty dangerous. The European adder has a vicious attack, and since the snake is found in most parts of the country, it is better to take heed and know your area before visiting.

The European adder are usually timid snakes; however, the venom has a high potency and can cause death. The venom will cause organ failure, breathing difficulties, and eventually death in most cases. They grow up to a meter in length and have a thick round body. They have smooth scale patterns, and the animal’s color will change depending on the region they live in.

In conclusion, Turkey is an incredible country that you can visit on your next vacation. There is so much that you can learn in the country. However, when visiting, always take time to know the area well and the dangerous animals you expect to find.

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.