Venomous creatures in Hong Kong, from jellyfish to hornets to centipedes – beware, some can kill
From the common toad to a giant jellyfish, from the largest poisonous snake to a terrifying home-invading centipede, Hong Kong has its share of animals that carry a venomous bite, sting or secretion. Here are some of the city’s most toxic inhabitants and visitors
Hong Kong has its fair share of formidable wildlife that can inflict serious harm if disturbed or provoked. And it’s not just snakes that are more active during the hotter months of summer; Hong Kong is home to a highly toxic toad, a monster hornet that can leave gaping wounds, and even a seemingly docile octopus with a lethal payload.
William Sargent, an ecologist based on Lantau Island, says that although venomous creatures tend to be more fearsome, people should still have respect for them. “Every animal has a critical role in highly integrated food webs, and if you don’t respect one part of that web, you are not respecting nature as a whole,” Sargent says.
Here are some of the venomous creatures to watch out for in Hong Kong.
Giant centipede
Prone to invading homes in rural areas of Hong Kong, the giant centipede grows up to 13cm in length. So it’s hard to miss until it bolts under the bed out of sight.
These centipedes runs rapidly and their venom is a potent neurotoxin. They are able to kill prey 15 times larger than themselves, including mice, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
