The 9 Most Terrifying & Dangerous Animals In Malta

When visiting Malta, you’ll want to watch out for several dangerous creatures. The Portuguese Man O’ War and various jellyfish species pose significant threats in coastal waters. On land, the mildly venomous European Cat Snake and Brown Recluse Spider require caution. Malta also harbors stingrays, great barracudas, sea urchins, and surprisingly, illegally kept exotic big cats like tigers and lions. Understanding these animals’ behaviors and habitats will help you safely enjoy Malta’s natural beauty.

Good To Know

• Portuguese Man O’ War has dangerous stinging tentacles that can cause extreme pain, with populations rising from April to September.
• Big cats including 64 tigers and 20 lions exist in mostly unregistered private collections, posing escape risks in densely populated Malta.
• The European Cat Snake is mildly venomous, nocturnal, and found in rocky, urban, and woodland areas across Malta.
• Brown Recluse Spiders can deliver bites causing necrotic lesions, typically found in outdoor shaded dry environments.
• Several jellyfish species, including the Mauve Stinger and Fried Egg Jellyfish, pose significant sting hazards to swimmers.

The 9 Most Terrifying & Dangerous Animals In Malta

While Malta appears as a peaceful Mediterranean paradise, it harbors several creatures that can pose significant threats to residents and visitors alike. You’ll need to watch for the European Cat Snake, whose venom can harm both humans and animals. The Brown Recluse Spider delivers medically significant bites that require immediate attention.

In Malta’s waters, jellyfish frequently sting swimmers, while stingrays and eagle rays possess poisonous barbs that can cause serious injuries. Great barracudas and sea urchins present additional marine hazards. The notorious Portuguese Man of War can be deadly with its venomous tentacles that cause severe pain and potential fatal reactions in sensitive individuals.

Though not commonly encountered, some privately kept animals like lions, tigers, and pumas represent significant dangers. Many travelers exploring Mediterranean destinations are surprised to learn about Malta’s potentially dangerous wildlife when they visit the island nation. Most scorpion species are prohibited due to their venom potency, with only Euscorpius sicanus permitted in the country.

Portuguese Man O’ War: The Silent Oceanic Threat

Although often mistaken for a jellyfish, the Portuguese Man O’ War represents one of the most deceptive threats in Malta’s waters. This isn’t actually a single organism but a colony of animals working together, featuring a distinctive gas-filled bladder that resembles a sail.

Don’t let its jellyfish-like appearance fool you—this colonial organism’s sail-shaped bladder hides a dangerous collective of stinging animals.

You’ll need to be particularly cautious while swimming in Malta’s warm waters, as these creatures drift unpredictably with wind and currents. Their tentacles contain painful stinging cells that remain active even when beached.

If you encounter one, don’t touch it—their stings cause severe pain and, in rare cases, can be dangerous. Treatment involves immersing the affected area in hot water (45°C) for 20 minutes to effectively relieve the pain.

Climate change has expanded their range, making them increasingly common visitors to Malta’s shores. While enjoying Malta’s beaches, consider that many visitors seeking luxury destinations in Europe are often unaware of these potential dangers lurking in the Mediterranean. Look out for their bluish-purple floats when swimming or walking along beaches.

Jellyfish (Brama): Malta’s Most Common Swimming Hazard

Jellyfish represent Malta’s most widespread swimming hazard, far more common than the Portuguese Man O’ War. You’ll encounter them primarily between April and September, with June marking the peak season for these gelatinous creatures.

The Mauve Stinger deserves your particular attention due to its painful sting that can lead to infection.

You can easily identify the Fried Egg Jellyfish by its yellowish center and transparent brown outer body – thankfully, its sting is much milder.

During jellyfish season, beach activities and tourism often suffer as swimmers avoid the waters. If you’re visiting Malta in summer, check local reports about jellyfish presence before swimming, as populations vary annually with changing sea temperatures. The Moon jellyfish with its distinctive blue color is also commonly spotted in Maltese waters, though it delivers a much gentler sting compared to other species.

Citizen science projects help track these creatures, so consider reporting any sightings to contribute to research efforts. Similar to Stockholm’s variable costs, jellyfish populations fluctuate depending on environmental factors and time of year.

European Cat Snake: Venomous Predator in Maltese Terrain

Despite its intimidating name, the European Cat Snake (Telescopus fallax) poses little threat to humans while hunting through Malta’s diverse landscapes. This slender, meter-long serpent with distinctive cat-like vertical pupils is mildly venomous but uses its toxins exclusively for subduing small prey like lizards and mice. With its rear-fanged structure, the snake’s venom delivery system is inefficient for defense against larger animals. Tourists visiting Malta often find that learning about these unique reptiles enhances their destination experience while exploring the island’s natural attractions.

You’ll likely encounter this nocturnal hunter in:

1. Rocky terrain and scrubby areas where it hides under stones during daylight hours
2. Urban environments including gardens, fortifications, and even private residences
3. Coastal woodlands where it emerges at dusk, especially during winter months

Though protected by national and EU legislation, these misunderstood reptiles often face persecution due to unfounded fears. Their ash-grey to yellowish-brown coloration with darker patches helps them blend perfectly into their Mediterranean surroundings.

Brown Recluse Spider: The Tiny Terror of Malta

Among Malta’s few potentially dangerous creatures, the Mediterranean recluse spider (Loxosceles rufescens) lurks as a small but significant threat to unsuspecting locals and travelers. This species differs from its North American cousin but shares its characteristic violin-shaped marking and cytotoxic venom.

You’ll rarely encounter these spiders indoors as they prefer dry, shaded outdoor environments. Their bites, though initially painless, can develop into necrotic lesions in 10-15% of cases, with potential systemic effects including fever and, rarely, renal failure. The spider is locally known as Brimba Mxajtna and has been present in Malta since at least 2002.

No antivenoms exist, making prevention vital. When handling outdoor objects, especially in stone structures or storage areas, wear gloves. Despite their presence, bites remain uncommon due to the spider’s reclusive nature—they’ll only strike when threatened or trapped. Unlike Estonia where venomous snakes pose a greater risk to humans, Malta’s wildlife threats are relatively limited.

Exotic Big Cats: Lions and Tigers in Maltese Captivity

When most people think of Malta, they don’t imagine encountering tigers or lions, yet the small Mediterranean island houses a surprising number of exotic big cats. Malta currently hosts 64 tigers and 20 lions, with many kept in private collections or unregistered with authorities. Beyond these apex predators, the island is also home to 24 pumas and various other wild cat species. Unlike Turkey, which has to manage venomous snakes in the wild, Malta’s dangerous animal concerns are primarily with captive exotic species.

1. Alarming numbers – Only 42 tigers and 3 lions are properly housed in zoos, while the rest remain in private hands with questionable oversight.
2. Regulatory gaps – Despite laws requiring registration, 13 tigers and 10 lions remain unregistered.
3. Welfare concerns – Many conservation experts argue these private collections serve no legitimate conservation purpose and raise serious animal welfare issues.

The presence of these powerful predators in such a densely populated country presents unique challenges for regulation and public safety.

Sting Rays: Dangerous Barbs Below the Surface

Moving from exotic captive predators to native aquatic dangers, Malta’s waters harbor a less visible threat beneath the sand. The common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca) lurks in sandy habitats, with its flat, disc-like body perfectly camouflaged when burrowed.

You’ll recognize these creatures by their dark grey coloration and whip-like tail featuring a venomous spine about one-third of the way along it. While typically wary of snorkelers, they can deliver extremely painful wounds if you accidentally step on or provoke them. These marine creatures often possess multiple spines due to their regular replacement process, enhancing their defensive capabilities.

When swimming in Maltese waters, avoid stepping directly on sandy areas where stingrays might be feeding. If stung, immediately flush the wound with salt water and seek medical attention.

Their sizes range from 20 centimeters to impressive 1.4-meter widths, making even small specimens potentially dangerous. Unlike the European food culture that Malta is known for, these marine creatures are not to be approached for a taste of local flavor.

Great Barracudas: Aggressive Predators of Maltese Waters

While stingrays pose threats from below, Malta’s crystal-clear waters conceal another formidable predator that actively pursues its prey—the Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda).

These streamlined hunters patrol Malta’s coastal waters, reefs, and underwater wrecks with lightning-fast speed. You’ll recognize them by their pointed heads, prominent teeth, and silvery-gray coloration that helps them ambush unsuspecting prey. Similar to Dubrovnik’s top snorkeling spots, Malta’s underwater environments provide ideal hunting grounds for these powerful fish.

Though typically solitary, you might encounter them:

1. Around coral formations where they stalk smaller fish
2. Near underwater wrecks where they establish hunting territories
3. In open water when they form schools to hunt collectively

While barracudas aren’t typically aggressive toward humans, their impressive size (up to 1.8m) and razor-sharp teeth demand caution and respect when you’re diving or snorkeling in Maltese waters. Divers should avoid wearing shiny jewelry as barracudas are strongly attracted to shiny objects which can occasionally lead to mistaken attacks.

Camel Spiders: The Outlawed Desert Hunters

Despite their fearsome reputation in popular culture, camel spiders aren’t actually present in Malta’s natural ecosystem. These arachnids, belonging to the order Solifugae, typically inhabit deserts and arid regions across North Africa and Southern Europe.

You might recognize these creatures by their distinctive tan bodies, massive jaw-like chelicerae, and impressive speed (up to 10 mph). Though often misunderstood as deadly predators, they lack venom glands and pose minimal risk to humans beyond painful bites. The only reported study claiming venom glands in a single species was never independently confirmed by other researchers.

While you won’t encounter camel spiders naturally in Malta’s environment, it’s worth noting their ecological importance in their native habitats. Unlike the warmest regions of Denmark which experience milder temperatures, camel spiders thrive in hot, arid conditions. The nearest populations exist in neighboring North African countries, where some species like Galeodes arabs face endangerment due to habitat loss and desertification.

The Sum Up

You’ve now explored Malta’s most dangerous creatures, from the Portuguese Man O’ War to exotic big cats. While these animals pose real threats, remember that with proper precautions, you’ll likely enjoy Malta’s natural beauty without incident. Pack your smartphone and first aid kit—even Knights of St. John couldn’t Google bite treatments back in the day. Stay alert, respect wildlife habitats, and your Mediterranean adventure will remain memorable for all the right reasons.