Hobbies And Interests
Asian Cobra
Asian cobras are a species of snake native to the Asian continent, including India. When a cobra is threatened, it raises the oval hood around its head and strikes, delivering a neurotoxin that can cause necrosis or asphyxiation. The venom can kill in 30 to 60 minutes and affects more than 50,000 people each year. High mongoose populations and human demand for snakeskin has made these cobras endangered.
Crocodile
Over 2,000 people are killed every year by crocodiles in Asia, Africa and Australia. Crocodiles hide themselves in rivers and on riverbanks, surprising their prey. They are aggressive when approached and have extremely strong jaw muscles. Humans pose a threat to crocodile survival due to the demand for crocodile skin that is used to make handbags, shoes and other accessories.
Elephants
Elephants kill more than 500 people each year. While elephants are normally viewed as docile creatures, young males can be extremely aggressive and have been known to raid small towns and trample people. Poaching for the elephant's ivory tusks is a large factor in the dwindling populations. Poor treatment of trained elephants is also a factor in their endangerment.
Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus kill over 300 people every year. Hippos are very defensive, can run 18 to 30 miles per hour, and weigh nearly 10,000 pounds. Hippos warn enemies by opening their mouths and exposing their teeth; hippos have jaw muscles strong enough to chomp a man in half. War in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a major factor in population decrease. In Congo hippos are commonly slaughtered by militias for food.