Dangerous animals in Bali

In this blog, I will share my top 5 animals which can harm and live on the Tropical islands of Bali. If you encounter any of these animals, after reading this blog, you will be better equipped to workout next course of action.

Land Snakes

Bali is home to 35 species of snakes. Only 5 of them on land are dangerous including the King cobra, Spitting cobra, Malayan krait, Red-necked keelback, and the Red-tailed green rat snake (pictures below are in this order). It is significantly unlikely to come across any of these guys, however, if you are to cross paths with one just stay away and you’ll be safe. Remember, these creatures are more scared of you than you are of them.

Balinese Sea Snake

The Laticauda colubrina (aka sea snake) can most commonly be found lurking near coral reefs or hiding between rocks on the shore. Females are slightly larger growing to around 143cm. These snakes are great swimmers as they have a paddle-shaped tail ending and can easily be identified by their black stripes. The bad news is that this sea snake is equipped with venom which is highly dangerous causing fatal hypertension and cyanosis. There is no antivenom available meaning a bite will result in death. But wait! There’s good news too. Fortunately, the Laticauda colubrina is very peaceful and is not aggressive. Unless stepped on or threatened, a bite is unlikely. If you're sitting around rocks by the sea, be sure to look where you’re stepping and placing your hands. If you encounter one of these beauties, as long as you behave, there will be no issues.

Sharks

Yes there are sharks in Bali 🤷‍♂. Multiple species lurk the seas here. However, shark attacks are super improbable with only three occurrences on record since 1900. Even better is that there has been no fatalities. So if you’ve watched jaws a few too many times, you can be rest assured that no such incident will occur during your Bali Ocean time.

Dogs

Man’s best friend might not be so friendly when in Bali. While the dogs here can be insanely cute and friendly, caution before petting is advised. Unlike dogs from e.g. the UK, dogs in Bali may have never been trained to be social. Both stray and domestic dogs here roam the streets freely, some might be scared or distressed which can result in a bite. Being bitten could result in rabies or other infectious diseases, so please seek a medical professional if this occurs. This is the part where I would say ‘don’t pet dogs during your visit’ but that would be very hypocritical of me. I always pet and play with the dogs almost every day, as long as you respect their space and understand body language, no problems should occur.

Bali Jellyfish

I personally have never actually seen a jellyfish in Bali, but my understanding is that it is a possibility to bump into one. Fortunately, not only are these guys rare to find, they don't oppose a large threat. They’re not deadly, and if stung you can expect to experience mild discomfort along with a rash. Almost like touching a stinging nettle.

This blog has provided you with a few animals which may potentially cause harm to humans in Bali. My intentions for writing this blog was not to scare anyone away from Bali, but instead to point out the mere existence of these beautiful creatures. The time I have stayed in Bali, I have never heard of any incidents, and most likely neither will you :)

- End Note -

While Bali is a well-known tourist attraction for many, it is also home to an array of exotic wildlife. The wonderful creatures we share our planet with should be a gentle reminder to all of us that we’re not alone on this beautiful floating rock. Collaborative care and attention from all of us will ensure that both humans and all other life forms can live harmoniously.