New Delhi:
World Animal Day is an international day celebrated each year on the 4th of October in memory of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. The day hence marks the importance to talk about animal rights, welfare and to speak for the voice they do not have. With human beings having a natural tendency to incline towards things that are 'cute' it is almost impossible not to pat a fluffy dog, cat or anything fluffy for that matter. With domestication of animals being forced on the poor creatures, we sometimes tend to forget that their defence-mechanism is given to ward off predators which includes us, humans.
So, without ado, let us look at some the cutest yet dangerous animals that are better left alone:
Honey Badgers: A gorgeous animal with a proud white lining at the back, this cute animal can sometimes prove deadly when they are forced to. These members of the weasel family don’t take kindly to sharing their honey, hence when intimidated it can bite through your hand in a snap. Given how their jaws are even believed to crack even a tortoise’s shell, you can imagine what it can do to your fingers.
Koalas: They are soft, slow and extremely photogenic but when provoked these marsupials will not think twice to give you one intense bite you will regret.
Kangaroos: These marsupials in Australia traverse the Australian Outback strictly through hopping, which is bound to make their legs incredibly strong. So, unless you are Mike Tyson, going near an aggressive kangaroo would be a bad idea. In fact, the Queensland Department of Environment and Science warns that a large kangaroo can easily catch up to an adult human, with the ability to both run and kick you at the same time.
Slow Loris: While these mini-looking bears can look like one of Jon Favreau’s do not be fooled by the big, hypnotising eyes. Lorises have toxic glands on their elbows, which they lick to make their bites poisonous. They also make themselves taste terrible to predators by grooming themselves with their toxin-laced tongues, thus making their fur poisonous. The Loris' bite is poisonous and can lead to anaphylactic shock and death for unsuspecting victims.
Pandas: One of the cutest animals in the animal kingdom, these lazy ball of have massive teeth and a chewing muscle designed to tear through tough bamboo shoots, which is the panda's only source of food. When aggravated or provoked these seemingly harmless have been known to attack and maim people who've gotten too close.
