Deadliest Animals That Can Only Be Found In The River Nile
By Juliet Smith
1 year ago
The infamous Black Mamba
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Did you know that black mamba snakes actually get their name from the inky black color inside their mouth, rather than their skin? These bad boys are one of the most venomous and deadly snakes out there - if someone gets bitten and doesn't get treatment within 20 minutes, it could be game over. They even manage to move at a crazy speed of up to 12 miles per hour!The electrical African Knifefish
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African knifefish are intriguing creatures due to their striking resemblance to eels. What truly sets them apart is their remarkable ability to generate and manipulate electricity. The knifefish, unlike the eel, possesses a relatively weaker electric current that it utilizes for navigation purposes too. Nocturnal predators, they primarily rely on insects and worms as their main source of food, which they find along the bottom of the Nile.The piranha-like African Tigerfish
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African tigerfish, much like their piranha counterparts, are renowned for their carnivorous nature, powerful jaws and protruding sharp teeth. These lethal features are specifically designed to kill and consume other fish, solidifying its reputation as one of the most vicious hunters in the region. They'll devour anything they come across in the water, even creatures larger than themselves and occasionally their own species.Ever heard of the Vundu Catfish?
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The Vundu catfish can be found dwelling at the depths of the mighty Nile River. This fascinating species tends to stay close to the riverbed, only making occasional appearances near the surface in search of prey. With a voracious appetite, it eagerly consumes whatever it can find. Its ability to thrive in the depths of the Nile is a testament to its resilience and ability to navigate its surroundings.Dice Water Snakes are very dangerous
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The dice water snake lives in lower Nile Valley and Nile River Delta regions. Their diet mainly consists of frogs, tadpoles, toads, and fish. When faced with a threat, dice water snakes have developed a defensive mechanism to protect themselves. They are able to secrete a strong and unpleasant odor, which acts as a deterrent to potential predators.Nile Perch are scarier than you think
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The Nile perch, known for its voracious appetite, spends a significant amount of time feeding. The Nile perch can reach weights of up to 500 pounds and lengths of up to 6 feet. These colossal fish sustain themselves by consuming a diet consisting of crustaceans, insects, and other fish. Female perch possess an astonishing ability to generate approximately 9 million eggs, each with the remarkable capacity to hatch within a mere 20-hour time frame.Hippos are more scary than they look!
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In their quest for sustenance, these creatures, despite loving their aquatic environments, will move onto land just to partake in a nightly feast of grass, consuming an astonishing amount of up to 80 pounds. Hippos are known for their aggressive nature and possess the ability to assert dominance over their territory. Their intimidating presence is so formidable that even predators like crocodiles, lions, and hyenas tend to steer clear of them.You wouldn't want to bump into the Egyptian Cobra
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Legend has it that Cleopatra, the iconic Egyptian queen, met her tragic end with the help of a venomous Egyptian cobra. Cobras have gained a reputation for their viciousness, with venom so powerful it's said to be capable of bringing down an adult elephant in three hours. A cobra bite can lead to paralysis and the destruction of the victim's nervous system.Don't forget about the Red Spitting Cobra too!
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The Red Spitting Cobra is a fascinating snake species that possesses a unique defensive mechanism. In addition to injecting venom through its bite, this cobra has the ability to accurately spit venom directly into the eyes of its attackers. The snake, in fact, possesses exceptional accuracy and rarely fails to hit its target. Their venom has a chemical composition with the ability to burn the cornea of the eye.The terrifying Nile Crocodile
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The Nile River is home to the formidable Nile crocodile. This fearsome predator is widely regarded as one of the most terrifying and lethal and can reach astonishing weights of up to 1,650 pounds with a length of 20 feet. Lurking in the depths of rivers, they possess a remarkable ability to seize their unsuspecting prey from the safety of the shore. With their elongated and robust jaws, they swiftly snatch their victims submerge them.The Egyptian Hissing Sand Snake
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The Egyptian hissing sand snake is a species that can be found in the Nile River Valley. The snakes are often found residing in close proximity to riverbanks, streams, and canals, where they actively pursue their prey including lizards, frogs, mice, and other small snakes. The Egyptian hissing sand snakes are known for their slender bodies, which can range in color from brown to yellowish.Even the Mosquitos are pretty bad
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The discovery of the West Nile virus dates back to 1937, when a woman fell victim to the disease. The spread of the virus can be attributed to birds and mosquitoes. Malaria, a disease that can be partly attributed to mosquitoes, continues to pose a significant global health challenge. Despite the availability of a cure, the World Health Organization reports that malaria still claims approximately one million lives annually.The Horned Vipers
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The Horned Vipers are aptly named due to the presence of distinctive horn-like scales above their eyes. The snakes are known to be less venomous but the Ancient Egyptians still held a deep fear for scorpions due to their venomous bite and ability to blend into their surroundings. The bodies of these creatures blend seamlessly with their surroundings, mirroring the color of the sand they inhabit.Saw Scaled Vipers
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This snake, despite its relatively small size of typically no more than 3 feet long, is known to be one of the most venomous species in the Nile. Saw-scaled vipers stand out from other snakes due to their highly aggressive nature and their lack of hesitation when it comes to striking. These snakes, for the most part, are active during the night, preferring to be active during the dark hours.The well-disguised Sand Boa
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Sand boas, as their name suggests, are known to use sand to stalk their prey (obviously). Measuring less than three feet in length, they're handy colors let them blend in anywhere. Sand boas have a fascinating hunting technique where they leave only their heads exposed in the sand and patiently wait for small mammals or amphibians to come within striking distance, and then swiftly pounce on their unsuspecting prey.The colorful Green Mamba
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The green mamba, found in the southern regions of the Nile River, is a highly venomous snake with an average length of 6.5 feet. Their skin shows off striking green hues that enable them to effortlessly camouflage themselves amidst the foliage and are known to be elusive and shy. The mamba is known for its potent venom, which contains both cardiotoxins and neurotoxins.Nile Monitor Lizards are pretty scary
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These impressive lizards can reach lengths of nearly 80 inches and are known as pros with remarkable swimming abilities. Agile tails enable them to glide through the water with great skill, and are not just limited to swimming prowess; they also possess the remarkable ability to whip with both strength and precision, particularly when it comes to self-defense. They can hunt and devour a wide range of animals, including fish, frogs, birds, and small mammals.African egg-eating Snakes
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The African egg-eating snake is a fascinating reptile with a remarkable digestive system that allows them to exclusively consume eggs as their primary source of nutrition. They have hinged jaws, enabling them to consume eggs in their entirety, including those as big as chicken eggs. With the distinctive spine and bony posture lining their esophagus, they effectively break and pulverize the eggs.Lightly-colored Saharan Sand Vipers
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The Saharan sand viper, a small snake, typically measures between 11 and 20 inches in length. The creatures possess distinctive features, including their sizeable, triangular-shaped heads and bodies that perfectly blend with the sandy desert surroundings. The coloration of these creatures can vary, ranging from tan, brown, beige, reddish brown, to dark brown. They typically have large dark blotches running along their backs, accompanied by smaller spots along their sides.African Rock Pythons are deadly
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The African rock python is renowned for its impressive size, reaching lengths of up to 20 feet. Tragically, there's been instances where they've caused harm to humans, resulting in fatalities. Without using venom, the python prefers coiling their bodies around their prey, gradually increasing the pressure. Rock pythons have the remarkable ability to devour their prey whole.It isn't just the animals to be afraid of!
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Where the River Nile is concerned, there's much more to be afraid of than any creatures of animals lurking nearby. Up there with the Amazon River, it's said to be one of the most dangerous rivers in the world! There's a few reasons for that (which we'll go on to discuss) but the river has definitely taken its fair share of lives in the past, and will continue to take more.The Nile has treacherous rapids
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One of the most dangerous aspects of the River Nile is its treacherous rapids and high-speed currents, making it relatively hard to navigate. Still, some people love adrenaline and sport, so will actively go white-water rafting in the dangerous current. Even aside from the rapids, there's so many large rocks around the river that it makes it so dangerous for tourists....and not to mention the unbearable heat!
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If you didn't know, Egypt is relatively close to the Equator, making it one of the hottest countries on Earth. It's been recorded that sometimes, Egypt can rise to a temperature of 122 F, making it almost unbearable to go outside in. Pair this with dehydration and increase salt intake, it all makes for a terrible disaster. Be careful the next time you travel to Egypt.To be honest, Egypt is just pretty scary in itself
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I think it's safe to say from all of the native, dangerous River Nile animals, and the unbearable heat and treacherous rapids, Egypt is pretty much a dangerous place to be, for both tourists and locals. But nonetheless, the dangers spread much further inland too. There's plenty of other animals that are dangerous lurking around Egypt... for example...Egypt has Saharan Striped Polecats...
Image Source/ Encyclopedia of Life
Forget all the Nile animals; Egypt has more problems! The Saharan striped polecat, also referred to as the Libyan striped weasels, may not appear threatening at first glance. Yet, the animal poses a threat of infection and toxic bacteria if it attacks you. The polecat is known for its tendency to mind its own business, however, it's not to be underestimated as it wont hesitate to attack if provoked. It can emit a foul-smelling odor reminiscent of skunks.Caracals can also be deadly!
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The caracal, scientifically classified as a member of the Felidae family, is a remarkable feline species. Often referred to as a "desert lynx", they bear a striking resemblance to mythical beings that could have been immortalized in Ancient Egyptian folklore. Being creatures that don't frequently encounter humans, they exhibit a sense of wariness and elusiveness towards us. The caracal has the ability to defend itself and may become aggressive if it senses a threat.Don't forget the Wild Boars
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The wild boar, often regarded as a crossbreed between domestic pigs and native pigs, is an omnivoer. Despite that, though, they've developed a negative reaction towards humans (because of hunting). Like many other animals, they exhibit territorial behavior, particularly when they are accompanied by their piglets. The instability resulting from the combination of these factors can lead them to launch unprovoked attacks.Aardvarks are mysteriously dangerous
Image Source/ SciTechDaily
The aardvark is recognized for its ability to burrow into the soil and extract insects, particularly termites. The mouth and tongue of these animals are specifically designed to effortlessly identify and capture their prey. Much like several other animals mentioned in this list, they might not appear threatening at first glance, yet they harbor a significant amount of dangerous bacteria, pathogens, and viruses, all of which are responsible for causing a wide range of diseases.The Egyptian Mongoose
Image Source/ Wikimedia Commons
Are camel spiders as scary as they make out?
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Camel spiders, despite their name, are not actually spiders! The general consensus is that they resemble scorpions to a more but aren't classified as scorpions either. It's been discovered that camel spiders pose little threat to humans. While they have the ability to bite, it's important to note that these creatures aren't venomous. In Egypt, these creatures are typically quite scarce, often only venturing out of their burrows at night or during intense sandstorms.Your top dos and don'ts when visiting Egypt: because it's not just the animals to worry about!
image source: reddit.com
Like any other country, Egypt is a place with cultural norms and customs (as well as threats) to be aware of. If you're planning to travel to the Nile river and explore the rest of Egypt, it's not just the dangerous wildlife you should plan for ahead of time. There are things you should (and shouldn't do) during your trip to keep you safe and happy during your time there!DO know how to cross the street safely
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If you're going to Egypt, then you need to be ready for neverending traffic with vehicles driving pretty much up against each other's bumpers - which means trying to cross the street as a pedestrian can be a pretty scary task. As long as you know to expect this ahead of time, you can be prepared! You should never stand at the side and wait for an opening because it just won't happen. Pedestrians walk across, and cars stop for them.DON'T go without knowing that everyone will be smoking
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Smoking isn't actually banned in public spaces in Egypt like in some places of the world, so you need to be prepared that a lot of people are going to be smoking - a lot. And we don't just mean passing you in the street on at the bar or restaurant - even within the airport or within your cab you can expect your officer or driver to possibly light up and smoke!DO go if you love cats!
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If you go to Egypt, you can expect to find a whole load of cats roaming around, too! Pretty much like you might see a huge amount of pigeons (or seagulls if you live near the sea) on your everyday roaming, the same population of cats applies to Egypt. So if you love cats, you're in for a treat. Some might actually be strays, but a lot of them might be owned by the people running stores and restaurants nearby.DON'T be startled by people shouting in Arabic
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If you don't understand Arabic or you've never actually heard it spoken before, it's easy to get intimidated by the high volume of the language. Arabic is considered a 'shouty' language because it can be a little bit harsh to the ear, so if you don't understand it you might think someone is shouting someone rude at you, but that's just the way Arabic is communicated!DO expect to be 'harassed'
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If there's one thing that a lot of people think (or report) about Egypt, it's the sheer amount of street harassment you can expect from vendors or men eyeing up female tourists. This can often be normality for Egyptian men or vendors, but for the most part, you might be okay depending on where you're going. You just need to remember to say NO very firmly, whether a vendor trying to sell you something or anyone else!DON'T expect the internet connection to be amazing
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If you're someone who depends on a strong internet connection no matter where they are in the world - maybe you're even hoping for a business trip to do some work while you're there - you're going to be sadly disappointed! You'll be able to get SOME WiFi connection, sure, but it's not going to be reliable - or fast, by any standards. You can get a basic signal for basic tasks, though!DO be sure to dress the right way
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This is something you'll need to check before you go, depending on the areas and cities you're planning to visit. When we say dress appropriately for women, we don't just mean don't wear a mini skirt either. Even something like wearing a t-shirt with bare arms showing can be a no-no. You're also going to get more attention if you dress with more skin showing, unfortunately!DON'T forget your visa!
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You do need a visa to visit Egypt, so that's something you'll need to remember, too - the good news is, you can actually travel as far as arriving in the airport in Egypt where you can buy one then and there. You can get one at the immigration desk at arrivals, and it's not too expensive. If you're someone who likes to do things way ahead of time, though, you can get yours in advance!DO make sure to have money for tips
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It's smart to avoid carrying too much loose cash with you, or to take a travel card or credit card with you for purchases, but just like tipping is expected in the US, it's also a big deal in Egypt, so you'll want to make sure you have small amounts of cash on you to be able to tip with, like to your cab driver or servers in restaurants! Better to have it and not need it!DON'T bring huge photography equipment
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We of course understand the need to get those awesome vacation snaps, but Egypt actually has a policy about photos being taken, because they're quite strict there. Even if you have your phone to take videos, you can be told to put it away if it's in an area they don't want you filming. So it's even worse if you have a monstrous professional camera you're pointing at everything!DO be aware of the service/tax fee
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If you're planning on eating and drinking out a lot during your trip to Egypt, then you need to be aware of the extra service and tax fee you can expect on your bill - an extra 12% service and 14% tax, specifically! So you're going to have an extra 26% payment on top of your total bill. Make sure to factor that into your budget planning before you go!DON'T avoid learning a bit of Arabic
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You're not expected to learn Arabic fluently before you go, because it's a very difficult language to learn and they have a different alphabet. What can help, though, is knowing some very standard words, such as 'yes', 'no' and 'thank you'. Whatever kind of words you think you'll need for the activities you have planned, too. It always helps to know a little!DO think carefully about driving
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You know how we mentioned about how crazy the traffic is in Egypt, for drivers and pedestrians alike? Well if you usually rent a car for your trips, you need to seriously be sure you can handle that crazy traffic situation. You'll also need both a valid driver's license and an International Driver's Permit if you're hoping to rent a car and drive here.DON'T forget to haggle!
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Sure, vendors and business runners are going to try and sell you things you might not want, or charge you a certain price, but Egypt is also a place that welcomes a bit of haggling from tourists! Sometimes people there decide prices on a whim, so they might easily change their mind to a lower price if you call them out on it - it's always worth trying!DO be prepared for some unfair money-making
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You're not going to be scammed left right and center but there will be instances where you're sort of tricked into paying for things you don't want. Sometimes services might do things without asking you and then expect a tip afterwards. And for big sight-seeing attractions, there can be a 'method' they use where tourists have no choice but to pay for extras, like horse and carriage rides to get to places.DON'T forget your toilet paper
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It might not be something you're used to packing, but we know it's definitely something you're going to wish you had if you go to Egypt! In this country, they don't use toilet paper for the most part, because they use bidets instead (a Shatafa). This is what you might find as your only option in public bathrooms, so you know... you might want to bring a spare roll or two!DO be prepared for police checks
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All. The. Time. These won't be because you've done anything wrong or because there's anything to worry about, they're just routine taken to the extreme. That's because this country has a history of conflict, so police presence and checks are high in certain regions. You might be 'checked' several times during one journey on public transport, where they might just look at your passport and move on!DON'T expect to get anywhere on time
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Well, you might get there at the time you planned if you set off a few hours earlier! The thing with services in Egypt, like buses, is that they're likely to tell you it takes 2 hours less than it actually takes. So if you're being a bit spontaneous and hopping on a bus to a certain place, the driver might tell you it's a 2 hour drive when 4 hours later is when you arrive!DO know that Egyptians not focused on tourism are kind and helpful
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There's a huge bad reputation for certain Egyptians in the huge tourist areas for being pushy, harassing, rude... and everything in between. Sure, that's the case in some places, but you can get that in any country. If you speak to Egyptians who aren't part of the tourist trade - like not trying to make any money off you - you'll find them to be kind and helpful, so take the time to speak with locals, too! If you want to, of course!What To Read Next
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