Tourists are being warned about ‘one of the UK’s most aggressive animals’ hiding under the sand on our beaches. Britain’s big predators were hunted to extinction in the 19th century, but there are still some creatures lurking in places you may not notice them.
While we don’t have bears, big cats, or sharks, there are some aggressive animals in our rivers. And, some become more common when it gets warmer.
Here, we list some other animals and insects that tourists should avoid if they don’t want to get bitten – including one of the most aggressive creatures that hides under the sand.
Horseflies
Horseflies like to drink blood, often from cattle, but they also bite humans causing a painful mark to the skin. These insects are not scared off by a swatting hand. They can grow up to 2.4 inches long, but horn horseflies are only half an inch and they really bother cattle in the summer months.
There are about 30 species that prey on animals here, but the Notch-horned cleg-fly is a sneaky predator with little to stop it from getting a meal, the Mirror reports. They lay their eggs in mud or near water and can eat small creatures. If a horsefly bites you, you’ll need painkillers and antiseptic cream to avoid infection and, because they can spread parasites, cleaning the wound is very important.
Pike
Predatory pike are huge fish that live in British rivers and lakes. They hide and then jump out to eat other fish, frogs, little sea animals, or even small mammals. Pike can grow really big, up to five feet long! They can grab baby ducks and sometimes even big ducks. These big fish can be a danger to animals and birds because of their size. People who like to fish for pike say these fish are “highly aggressive” and have sharp teeth that can really hurt.
Wasps and hornets
In the summer, wasps and hornets can get very angry and sting people. Some people are really allergic to their stings and it can be very dangerous. Every year, about 12 people in Britain die because they get shocked by wasp or hornet stings. Wasps like to make their homes in places like attics, sheds, and trees.
People don’t like them because they can sting you even if you didn’t do anything. Wasps are about half an inch big, but hornets are bigger, about an inch long, and you can hear them coming. Hornets don’t want to bother people as much as wasps do.
Adders
The adder is the only snake in Britain that has venom, but it’s not common to see one. There are only about 100 times a year when someone gets bitten by an adder, and no one has died from it since 1975. But every year, some dogs get really sick or even die because of adder bites, and sometimes people need to have part of their body cut off because of the poison.
Cows
Cows that are grazing in fields in England can be very protective of their babies. If they think their calf is in danger, they might charge at you. If there’s a big group of cows, they might all start running if they get scared.
They can kick with their sharp hooves if they feel threatened by dogs, which can cause serious injuries. It’s a good idea to keep your dog on a lead if you’re walking through a field with cows in it.
Yellow-tailed scorpions
Scorpions have been spotted in Kent, Plymouth and some parts of London. They like to hide in walls and wait for spiders or woodlice to come by. Experts think that these scorpions haven’t spread across Britain because our weather is too cold and wet for them. They hunt at night and catch their prey with their claws and teeth before stinging them with their tail.
Badgers
Badgers eat roots and plants when they’re looking for earthworms at night. Even though they’re one of the biggest predators in Britain, we don’t often see them unless they’ve been hit by a car. During the day, they sleep in groups in underground burrows called setts. Badgers are protected by law and they can be quite big – up to five feet long – so it’s best not to mess with them.
Lesser weever fish
Lesser weever fish love to settle into the sandy beaches of southern Dorset. They hide under the sand, leaving just their five small spines exposed to scare off any dangerous creatures. The bite from their poison can be quite painful. Divers and swimmers report that these fish, which at full size are about a foot long, can be pretty unfriendly towards humans when swimming. Their big upturned mouths help them catch other little fishes and crustaceans for meals.
Wild boar
In our woodlands, there’s a small wild boar population. With around 2,500 living in the Forest of Dean, these creatures used to be pets but managed to escape into the wild. Wild boars gobble down green plants, nuts, bulps and mushrooms. A rough outer coat keeps them warm and males boast an impressive set of tusks.
Standing approximately 31 inches tall at shoulder level, they’re surprisingly fast and strong enough to knock over a person or dog. If they have to face danger, they might even bite. But don’t fear – these boars would rather run away and hide as thanks to interbreeding with domestic pigs, they’ve lost their natural instincts. That said, if her babies are threatened, a mother boar will jump to their defence with fierce protection.
Pine Marten
Pine martens might be rare, but they’re known for being tough and aggressive. Living in woodlands, these animals have round ears, long bodies, short legs and brown fur, with a long fluffy tail to keep their balance. Even grey squirrels need to be cautious, as pine martens can snatch them up. Mostly though, they prefer to catch voles and rabbits during the night. They’ve got sharp teeth that can steal eggs and baby birds from nests. You’ll usually find these creatures in Scotland, but a few have been spotted in England’s pine forests, which is how they got their “pine” marten name.
