Many people undeniably love animals, and many species of animals breathe life into our ecosystems. That being said, there are some creatures in the animal kingdom that can be off-putting. Even though all creatures have a purpose in our environment, certain species, such as horned beetles or ant-eaters, can rouse questions from onlookers as to why they exist.
Table of Contents
These are the top ten most annoying animals in the world:
Dogs are known for being our loyal companions, but it’s important to remember that their behaviour is endlessly linked to the behaviour of their owners. While some dogs are obedient and well-trained, others can become bad-mannered and chaotic vessels of destruction.
In these cases, it’s easy to forget that what we do reflects on our animals – excessive barking, attacking other animals, inappropriate urination and even biting people are all typical signs of poor ownership. When behaviour crosses a line and progresses from annoying to dangerous, an irrevocable bond between owner and animal can cause serious harm for all those around them.
Professional breeders, veterinarians and responsible pet owners should take this as a reminder; attitude plays a huge role in responsible dog ownership,
Owls
Owls are animals that many people won’t have the pleasure (or displeasure) of encountering, but those with the unfortunate fortune of living in or near a forest know just how annoyingly loud these creatures can be!
From their piercing, shrieking hoot to the relentless persistence with which they call out – males especially – it’s enough to make anyone yearn for silence. While owls may be a great solution for pesky vermin and other pests, putting up with them in one’s backyard can become too intolerable; so animal control may need to be called out for excessive noise.
Unfortunately, this is not helped by the fact that these birds are nocturnal, meaning their loud calls can wake people from sleep at the most inconvenient times throughout the night.
Related Article: What is a Female Owl Called: Female Owl Explored and Clarified
Hyenas
Hyenas are the source of much annoyance in Africa and the Middle East, where they are most commonly found. As meat-loving scavengers, they can often be seen following hunters and stealing their kills, which of course is incredibly irritating.
The hyena has also been known to attack humans on rare occasions; however, these creatures tend to be timid and will rarely actively seek out confrontations. To further add to this animal’s nuisance factor, it has an iconic chilling call that is impossible to mistake for any other creature – it almost sounds like derisive laughter.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are the true kings of the annoying insect kingdom, and they deserve every bit of that title. They can drive people crazy from their incessant buzzing in the dark; this annoyance is only worsened by their bite, which leaves behind an itch that never seems to go away.
This alone would be enough for us to be disliking them but, unfortunately, there’s more. Mosquitoes have been responsible for spreading countless diseases to humans over time, most notably malaria, yellow fever, and the West Nile virus.
When planning to travel to exotic countries with a large population of mosquitos, it is especially important to not only take precautions against getting bitten but also to be aware of useful vaccination protocols that are in place. These types of vaccinations, offered at many clinics around the world, contain important immune boosters that can help create stronger defence systems against mosquito-borne illnesses.
Ants
From our gardens to our cupboards, ants can be found everywhere. Not only do they have an impressive count of 22,000 species spread across the globe, but they all kind of share one unique quality – they’re gatherers.
Whether it’s some food scrap left behind on the kitchen floor or something else, ants won’t hesitate to take their bounty and run – no matter where it is or how much you’ve dropped. As a result, many people find themselves taking drastic measures such as calling exterminators just to keep these pesky little critters away from their homes. Fortunately for us, however, most species of ants don’t actually pose a danger to humans despite their ability to be quite annoyingly persistent when searching for food sources.
Domestic Pigeons
Pigeons may be one of the most annoying and pesky creatures around, but they can also be quite dangerous. Besides causing us to dodge their bombardment like miniaturized rain clouds, these feathered nuisances are often carriers of a number of diseases.
That’s why some veterinarians even refer to them as “flying rodents”. Unfortunately, wild flocks can transmit parasites, viruses and a variety of other pests to people and animals alike if we’re not careful. Thankfully, pigeons kept as pets are usually vaccinated and tested for healthy.
Seagulls
Seagulls may appear harmless on the surface, but anyone familiar with these birds can attest to the troubles they can cause. Those living near a sea or ocean know that seagulls are fearless when it comes to snatching up food, often attacking humans for any morsel within reach.
These birds also hide in plain sight near humans, waiting for any leftovers you might drop. Added to this are the constant quacks like those of an owl that never seem to cease and the sound of screeches announcing sunrise much earlier than we’d prefer.
But one additional danger that can be dire is an aeroplane crashing. Such a crash could cause a catastrophic explosion and significant loss of life.
Related Article: Seagulls as Pets: Are There Legal Restrictions on Owning a Seagull?
Flies
Of the million-plus species of flies in the world, none are as bothersome or potentially hazardous to our health as houseflies. From buzzing around and refusing to go away until we slap them, to invading our homes and spreading disease, these pests have earned a high place on our list of annoying creatures.
Not only can they be noisy and persistent, but they pose a danger to hygiene due to their tendency to feed on faeces and spread germs and bacteria through contaminated surfaces. The worst part is that these nasty little flies can easily contaminate food by landing on it, making it necessary for us to quickly discard it in order to protect ourselves from diseases.
The fact that these little demons reproduce and spread at astonishing rates may be their worst trait.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs may not be aggressive towards humans like flies, but they’re still an unpleasant presence. They’ll gladly move into any available home, multiplying rapidly so that in no time there might be hundreds of them buzzing around.
Even worse, when they fly by you, there’s a good chance that you’re going to get smacked. But the number one problem with these creatures is the smell – it can be strong enough to fill up an entire room if some of them feel threatened for some reason.
So if you intend to remove some of these bugs from your house, make sure you never touch them with your bare hands – use a paper towel instead. Don’t expect water and soap to wash away the smell either – only time can do that!
Macaque Monkey
Monkeys may appear to be cute and innocent, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Macaca genus of monkey is notorious for its aggressive behaviour if it even suspects you have food on you.
These primates are found throughout Southeast Asia, Japan, China, and even Morocco and they will attack unsuspecting individuals if they ponder you have any food items nearby.
As this species seeks out sources of nutrition, they can often be found plundering farmer markets in search of their next meal. It’s no surprise that this genus of monkeys has earned a reputation as one of the less hospitable.
Related Article: What is the Collective Name for a Group of Monkeys and Its Significance?
FAQs
What is the world’s most annoying animal?
Kea parrots
Which animal is irritating?
Mosquitoes
What is a hated animal?
Rats
What is the number 1 loudest animal on earth?
Blue whale
What is the nicest animal on earth?
Dogs
Final Words
While it’s true that insects usually top the list of most annoying creatures, they’re not the only ones which can be a nuisance. Dogs, for example, are known to bark incessantly and attack those who wander too close to their territory. Fortunately, the majority of these animals don’t pose a threat but it’s always wise to take caution if you suspect their behaviour is escalating – hyenas, in particular, should never be taken lightly! The best approach, when faced with any of these creatures, is simply to steer clear as much as possible.
Reference:
https://www.traveller.com.au/the-worlds-eight-most-annoying-animal-encounters-16ybm
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/international/4314147/Annoying-animals-across-the-globe
A motivated philosophy graduate and student of wildlife conservation with a deep interest in human-wildlife relationships, including wildlife communication, environmental education, and conservation anthropology. Offers strong interpersonal, research, writing, and creativity skills.
