11 Beasts That Are Known to Eat People

Eating humans is not common for most animals because humans and wild animals don’t usually live in the same places. You’re more likely to be hit by lightning than killed by a lion, tiger, or shark. Other animals are more dangerous to us, like buffalo, snakes, spiders, dogs, and especially bees, but none of these will eat you after attacking. However, there are certain animals that, under rare and special conditions, have been known to kill and eat humans. These instances are exceptions rather than the rule.

Bengal Tigers

Bengal Tigers are one of the world’s largest cat species. They have powerful jaws and long canines. While we’re not their preferred prey, human settlements encroaching into their territories have led to increased incidents of tiger attacks. An infamous example is the Champawat Tiger, a man-eating Bengal tigress, which killed 436 humans.

Phytons

Phytons have been known to attack and eat humans occasionally. In 2018, there was a notable incident in Indonesia. A giant 7-meter-long python was found to have swallowed a fully-grown woman while on her farm. Villagers found the snake with a swollen belly and, sadly, her lifeless body inside.

Black Bears and Grizzly Bears

In recent years, fatal bear attacks have been relatively low yet still present. For example, there were 48 fatal attacks in North America between 2000 and 2017. Quite interestingly, black bears were responsible for 25 of these attacks, while their grizzly counterparts accounted for 21. As human development continues creeping into bear habitats, interactions between the two species are bound to increase. Bears usually strike out of surprise or in defense of their young.

Polar Bears

Although fatal incidents were uncommon before, there was a report that a polar bear tragically killed a woman and her toddler in an Alaskan village. Hungry polar bears are being driven inland because of melting ice. As their icy homes shrink, causing possible starvation, the chances of encounters between humans and polar bears sadly seem to be increasing.

Lions

Sometimes lions can resort to eating humans, especially when their usual food supply is scarce. It’s estimated that they kill up to 200 people every year. Lions, when injured, might turn to unusual prey, including humans, particularly during tough times when catching their regular food becomes challenging.

Saltwater Crocodiles

These gigantic reptiles are one of the most aggressive species towards humans. They’re usually a threat to humans near water, lying in wait to launch a surprisingly rapid attack. It’s estimated that crocodile attacks claim hundreds of lives annually. A famous example is Gustave, a massive man-eating Nile crocodile, which is rumored to have taken the lives of over 300 people in Burundi.

Leopards

In the big cat family, leopards are versatile predators known to adapt their diet in accordance with their surroundings. Unfortunately, this adaptability occasionally includes resorting to human flesh. There’s a notorious case from the early 20th century when a male leopard in India allegedly claimed 400 human lives.

Hyenas

Hyenas are scavengers and skilled hunters. Their diet includes a variety of prey and sometimes even humans. Human bones have been discovered in hyena dens, showing they do attack people sometimes. In places like rural Ethiopia, there are more reports of hyenas attacking humans. This is often due to people entering hyena territories or them being drawn to human waste. 

Dingos

Dingos are the wild dogs of Australia. They are perhaps best remembered for the infamous ‘a dingo ate my baby’ case in the 1980s. These canines primarily target smaller prey. However, they can also prey on larger animals including humans, especially when they are starving.

Komodo Dragons

Komodo Dragons, the world’s heaviest lizards, is an intimidating species native to Indonesia. Their interactions with humans often result in serious injury or death. Chilling incidents include a tragic event when a child and an adult were attacked by Komodo dragons.

Sharks

It’s a common myth that sharks hunt for humans. Usually, they mistake us for seals or attack when provoked.  The only species known to occasionally hunt humans are the Great White, Tiger, and Bull shark. The worst shark attack in history is the infamous sinking of the USS Indianapolis during World War II. Over several days, numerous survivors in the water were attacked by sharks, leading to a tragic loss of over a hundred men. 

19 Most Powerful Animals on Earth

19 Most Powerful Animals on Earth