Every year on October 21, nations across the world celebrate National Reptile Awareness Day. Apart from the day being observed, it also promotes education about reptiles, and discussions about the best ways to conserve them.

Some reptiles are extremely dangerous and pose health risks to human beings.

www.ghanaweb.com has listed some of the most dangerous reptiles in Ghana you should always look out for.

The Black mamba

It is an extremely venomous snake in Ghana, and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Their colour varies from grey to dark brown. The black mamba’s fatality rate is 100 percent. It completely shuts down the victim’s nervous systems and paralyzes them. The poisonous snake is one of the largest contributors to snakebite related deaths in tropical areas.



The black mamba

Nile crocodile

The Nile crocodile is mostly found in freshwater lakes, and streams. It is the most dangerous crocodile in the world, since it is responsible for more than 300 attacks on people every year. They can live for up to 100 years.



The Nile crocodile

Monitor lizards

Monitor lizards are subtly dangerous, but a bite from them can be extremely painful. A bite from this specie of lizard can crush the human bones. It is advisable to seek medical attention right after you are bitten by a monitor lizard. Their venoms are not fatal, but one could get bacterial infection from their bite.



The monitor lizard