A vast number of rare, beautiful, and strange animals can be found in deserts on most continents. They were all able to adapt to the harsh conditions of the hot climate and evolved to thrive in it.
These desert dwellers are quite unique, and most of them are almost impossible to find in other parts of the world. Not that you’d want to find them. Some of these monsters can send you straight to the ER or even worse.
But they are what they are – the most horrifying animals that live in the desert!
1. Locust
The Bible wasn’t messing around when it said that locusts were terrible. One at a time, these oversized grasshoppers are nothing but ugly bugs, but when they gather in swarms, no single plant will survive on their way.
2. Sun Spiders (solifugae)
They are not venomous, they won’t kill you (probably), but the sun spiders do bite if they feel the heat of your flesh. While human skin is too tough for their little mandibles. However, if you have a cut on you, things may bet ugly.
3. Vultures
Everyone should be scared of vultures! They’re evil, have ugly leathery heads, and they devour dead bodies! Okay, okay, they’re great for the environment, but you can’t tell me vultures are not weird.
4. Horned Vipers
It may seem that these hideous reptiles are harmless at first. But it’s important to know that the venom of a horned viper does severe damage to red blood cells. Ingestion of hemotoxins can be fatal. Today this viper is an endangered species, which is not that fun.
5. Yellow Scorpion
Living in the Sahara desert, yellow scorpions use their neurotoxins to destroy anyone they come across. Despite the fact that a healthy adult will only experience severe pain from the sting, for children and the elderly, this encounter can end badly.
6. African ostrich
Maybe you don’t think ostriches are that terrifying, but that changes what you meet with one face to beak. It is one of the fastest animals on Earth, capable of running at 70 km/h, which means you won’t escape. But in addition to its speed, it has excellent hearing and vision, and can boldly fight off predators with its powerful legs.
7. Monitor Lizards
Unlike simple lizards, these tiny dragons are very dangerous because of their poison. But you should not be afraid of them, as they use those toxins on insects, rats, and other small animals. These cold-blooded creatures easily adapt to the hot desert climate. When it gets very cold, they become more aggressive, but then again, who doesn’t?
8. Tarantula
Most tarantulas live in lush tropical forests, but there are desert species as well. At night, you can see the green light reflecting from the eyes of the tarantula, and yes, that’s eight tiny lights! At least they don’t attack humans, if not provoked.
