People often ask us about the most dangerous animals in Bali, and they’re surprised to learn that while there are animals here that can be hazardous to humans, most Bali animals present very little threat to your health and safety.
So, in order to put your mind at ease, we’ve rounded up the most dangerous animals in Bali and how to deal with them. We think it’s important to note that for the vast majority of people, a visit to Bali is safe and trouble-free even without this advice.
The 12 Bali Animals We’d Avoid
Mosquitoes – The Most Dangerous Animals On Earth
Did you know that more people have been killed throughout human history due to diseases resulting from a mosquito bite than by any other animal?
The good news is that Bali is pretty much malaria-free, and it’s not in a Yellow Fever Zone, either. The bad news is that local mosquitoes can carry dengue fever, which is an unpleasant and, very occasionally, fatal condition.
It’s pretty easy to protect yourself against mosquitoes, though. Start by using mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and trousers in the early hours of the day (dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes only come out in the mornings) and use air-conditioning in your home (this keeps the air dry and kills mosquitoes).
Mosquitoes here do carry diseases other than dengue, such as chikungunya and Zika virus, but these are much rarer problems in Bali.
King Cobra (And Other Venomous Snakes) –
There are 50 species of snakes on this island, but only 5 species have snake bites that are venomous.
The venomous snakes here are the King Cobra, the Spitting Cobra, the Island Viper, the Blue Krait and the Sea Krait (a sea snake).
You are more likely to encounter a deadly snake on land than in the water, and it’s best to be careful where you walk in the rice fields or tall grass, particularly at night and don’t go barefoot in these places.
If you see a snake while diving or snorkelling, just move away from it.
Box Jellyfish – The Deadliest Creature In The Sea
The box jellyfish is one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, and their sting causes violent pain, paralysis and sometimes death.
It’s worth noting that death may also be caused by drowning while trying to deal with the other problems caused by the sting.
They only tend to appear in Balinese waters during the wet season, and it’s best to follow local advice on jellyfish warnings and stay out of the sea at this time of year.
If you are stung, rinse the affected part of the body in vinegar and get to the hospital as fast as you can.
Saltwater Crocodiles – A Rare Visitor To Balinese Shores
The saltwater crocodile is an absolute beast of an animal; it is the largest of all known reptile species in the world and can be over 20 feet long!
They have extremely strong jaws and are very territorial and aggressive; they have no compunction about attacking humans at all.
The good news is they tend to only appear in remote parts of Bali, away from humans.
If you do decide to explore these areas of the island, don’t swim (or wade) into mangroves or tidal estuaries, take local advice regarding crocodiles seriously and if you kayak in an area with saltwater crocodiles, make sure to remain vigilant at all times.
Giant Centipedes – A Painful Nuisance
The giant centipede, or Scolopendra as it’s known, is a huge and ugly centipede that can bite humans.
They look horrifying with many segmented bodies, each with its own legs.
This dangerous species hangs out in wet places such as gardens, forests, and under rocks and logs. This can make them pretty hard to spot.
Always check your shoes and clothes before putting them on, particularly if you’re staying in a rural area. If you find these creatures in your accommodation, insect repellent can help keep them out.
If you are bitten, don’t panic. Clean the wound and then seek medical attention. It hurts, but it won’t kill you.
Tomcat Beetles – Chemical Burns
The Tomcat is a small (just under 1 cm) orange and black beetle, and it can’t even bite you. So, what’s the problem?
Well, if you crush them, they spray a toxin called Pederin, which causes blistering and burns in long streaks on your body, and it really hurts.
So, if you see one, don’t crush it or swat it; flick it off. But it’s best to switch off bright lights at night and give your bedding and towels a quick glance each evening, as well as keeping windows closed at night. Avoiding these things is always better than dealing with them.
If you do get covered in the venom, immediately wash it off with soap and water, cover it with a wet compress and use aloe vera or a corticosteroid cream (you can buy this in any pharmacy in Bali) to reduce irritation.
If things start to get really severe, head to the hospital and talk to a doctor.
Balinese Long-Tailed Macaque – Real Wild Animals
Almost every visitor to Bali comes into contact with some of the cutest native animals in the Sacred Monkey Forest.
Unfortunately, wild monkeys in this tropical paradise can be both larcenous and dangerous.
We strongly recommend keeping a safe distance from the monkeys (though do go and see them, they’re really entertaining).
If they steal from you, ask a local guide for help, don’t try to fight the monkeys, and if they bite you, go to a doctor immediately. Among other diseases, monkeys can carry rabies, and you will need to be vaccinated.
Coral Reefs
While shark attacks are rare in Bali, one fairly common source of injury for swimmers and divers is coral.
Coral reefs are beautiful, but if you get cuts from the reef, they tend to be slow-healing and easily infected with bacteria.
Touching coral can also attract problems from reef inhabitants, several species of which, including moray eels or titan triggerfish, can cause harm to people.
The best way to prevent this kind of issue is simply to avoid swimming too close to coral.
Stonefish
The stonefish is the most venomous fish in Balinese waters, and it hangs around in shallow waters around reefs.
To try and prevent incidents, you should wear water shoes, shuffle your feet while walking rather than step along, and look before you touch any rock in the water; these creatures are most easily stepped on during low tide.
If you do step on them, the venom causes necrosis of tissues, respiratory failure and often leads to death by drowning. The pain is intense and said to be akin to standing on a burning nail.
To try to treat a sting, submerge the affected area in hot water (as hot as you can take). This helps to break down the proteins in the venom and then seek immediate medical attention.
Blue-Ringed Octopus
The blue-ringed octopus can also be found in the waters of Bali, particularly in the muck diving spots of Amed and Padang Bai.
They look to be yellow-brown until disturbed, when they reveal their electric blue rings.
The venom is one of the strongest in the world and can kill within a few minutes. The good news is that these creatures are shy and not at all aggressive.
Don’t stand on them or touch them, and they’ll leave you entirely alone. If someone is stung, you must get them to the hospital immediately; they will die without artificial respiration to prevent respiratory failure. There is no anti-venom for this octopus’s bite.
Bali’s Street Dogs – Sharp Teeth And Fangs
Dogs may be man’s best friends, but we strongly advise that you stay vigilant and away from Bali’s street dogs.
While many dogs can be friendly, others may bite without warning signs. Nothing ruins an amazing time on Bali’s stunning beaches worse than being bitten by a dog, which may feel threatened by your presence.
As Bali is in a rabies zone, if you’re bitten, you will need to be vaccinated and soon.
We cannot stress enough that you typically only have 24 hours to be certain of the vaccine’s efficacy, and once the symptoms of rabies appear, the disease is universally fatal.
Monitor Lizards – Keep A Respectful Distance
There are no Komodo Dragons running around in Bali (they live on the island of Komodo), but there are some pretty big water monitor lizards.
If you come across one of these creatures, it’s best to use your common sense, stay calm and keep your distance from them.
They aren’t especially aggressive and tend to leave people alone, but they aren’t afraid of you either.
If you do get bitten, you need to seek medical attention, because the wounds can easily become infected.
FAQs
Are There Crocodiles In Bali Waters?
Yes and no. Saltwater crocodiles occasionally appear in Balinese waters and on remote beaches in Bali, but they tend to avoid this island for the most part.
How Likely Is It To See A Snake In Bali?
Snake sightings are not unheard of, even in busy places. The author once witnessed security guards rounding up a snake on a busy street in Canggu.
However, most people will never see a snake during their holiday, and this is because snakes generally avoid people and tend to hide in places like long grass or under rocks.
Is Bali Still Infested With Spiders?
As a lifelong arachnophobe, the author can reassure you that Bali has never been infested with spiders. This false impression was caused by a picture circulating on the internet of a large number of spiders around a single home in the jungles of Bali.
In fact, Bali has relatively few spiders, and none of them is particularly dangerous to human beings. In particular, it’s one of the few parts of Southeast Asia with no native tarantula species.
Final Thoughts On Dangerous Animals In Bali
The author and everyone working at FINNS have had occasional encounters with dangerous animals in Bali, and we’re all here to tell the tale.
There are also millions of Balinese people who deal with these creatures daily without any negative impact on their lives.
All it takes is a little common sense and the precautions above, and you should find that you have a trouble-free and safe holiday here on the island.
Bali is a dream destination for many, and most of the highly dangerous animals in Bali avoid humans. So stay safe, but don’t be paranoid, just enjoy your holiday.
