Wild Ones

Dangerous on land

Lion: Giraffes are eternally majestic, buffalo formidable, but with their golden fur, regal mane and fearsome presence lions are known as the ‘King of Beasts’. Lions have been celebrated throughout history for their majesty, courage and strength. Kings and Queens have taken the Lion as a symbol of dominance and leadership. The largest of all the carnivores on the African plains, lions are smaller and faster than the tigers of Asia. Scorpions: A barely habitable burnt corner of the earth, parched and sun drenched... Once the sun has set and temperatures drop, the night time wilderness becomes a very dangerous place. Danger lurks in the form of a sharpened spike loaded with toxic venom. It could be waiting anywhere – under a rock, in your shoe, or even in your bed. These are Scorpions!! Spiders: The creatures of many a phobia, tarantulas, with their thick stocky bodies, massive legs and huge fangs can truly be the stuff of nightmares. But in the spider world you don’t have to be big to be dangerous. The Sydney funnel web is one of the deadliest of all to humans – males often come into houses in search of females – these blue-black spiders are aggressive and not afraid to bite. Hiding out in the barbeque may be another of the spider worlds most feared members – the redback. The female redback can cause death to young and old, but no one is more at risk than the tiny male redback – who she eats after mating. Snakes: Snakes have fascinated and terrified humans for thousands of years. In many parts of the world they are worshipped as protectors and creators. But some cultures fear snakes as devils and symbols of vengeance and death. Whether as an evil power or symbol of fertility, the snake is a powerful image. Crocodile: Lurking in the worlds rivers, marshes and swamps lie one of the most prehistoric and dangerous predators on the planet. Stories, songs and legends have build up around them. People tremble in fear at their name. These are the Crocodiles!!