People often picture dangerous animals as large carnivores such as tigers and bears, who are well-known predators. But scientists have found some much smaller creatures that pose a similar threat to human beings.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are known to be the most dangerous animals in the world, scientists say. Approximately 725,000 people in the world die yearly of mosquito-borne diseases such as the West Nile virus, yellow fever, dengue fever, and malaria.

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According to Healthline, Hawaii declared a state of emergency in February to deal with an outbreak of dengue fever spread by infected mosquitos. Now, the Zika virus, also brought by this deadly creature, is spreading widely.

African Tsetse Flies

The African Tsetse Fly is also considered to be one of the most dangerous animals on the planet. The half-inch long bloodsucking insect carries a parasite that can cause sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis), a disease that attacks the neurological system of the human body. The disease starts off with fever and the inflammation of the lymph nodes that involve the brain and spinal cord, leading to lethargy. If left untreated, it can lead to death.

Fleas

Historically, fleas are considered to be the world's most perilous insect, making it one of the most dangerous animals in the world. During the fourteenth century, these insects caused a plague that killed about 20 million people in Europe. The fleas contract diseases from infected rats and can transmit the disease to any unfortunate human it bites.

Bats

Bats are important to the world's ecosystem because they minimize the existence of pests, such as mosquitoes. However, they are still considered to be one of the most dangerous animals. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 out of the 19 confirmed cases of naturally-contracted rabies in the United States from the year 1997 to 2006 came from bats.

Geographic Cone Snails

People would not expect that snails could pose a danger to humans, but scientists say that the geographic cone snail is one of the most dangerous animals found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, due to its deadly venom. The snail is known to deliver a venom that can shoot out like a harpoon from its tooth. Although deaths are rare, with only 30 deaths reported, medical practitioners still have not discovered an anti-venom that can counter its attack.