Which are the most dangerous animals in France and where are they?

France is not generally associated with dangerous wildlife, especially compared with many other parts of the world. Yet a range of small - but sometimes serious - threats can be found across the country, from insects and arachnids to reptiles and marine life.

Occasionally, species that are far from expected in an urban European setting make headlines, but most of the risks come from far more familiar environments: gardens, forests, coastlines and rivers, where humans and wildlife inevitably overlap.

Below is a look at some of the animals and insects in France that can pose a risk to humans, either through venom, disease transmission, or defensive behaviour:

The Asian hornet

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) is one of the 400 or so invasive species recorded in France, and is a threat to domestic bees.

Measuring around 2 cm (large compared a wasp or bee), their sting is particularly painful for humans – significantly more so than a typical bee sting – and can cause severe reactions and even death in those who are allergic to them. 

In addition, unlike bees, the Asian hornet are far more prone to stinging potential threats whereas bees are thought to only use their stinger as a last resort.

They are found throughout France and have also spread to a number of countries across the continent.

The European black widow

This infamous spider (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) is black with 13 red spots on its abdomen, and usually around 1.5 cm in length.

In Europe, it is also known as the ‘Malmignatte’ or ‘Mediterranean black widow’, and owes its name to the gruesome fact that the females eat the males after mating.

Thankfully, the European black widow is less dangerous than her Australian and American cousins whose bites are potentially fatal. However, a European black widow bite can still cause serious problems if left untreated.

It is found all over Corsica, as well as in the south and along the Mediterranean coast of mainland France.

The adder / viper

A bite from one of these snakes in France is rarely fatal (although around one person does die from a bite every year), but does require an immediate trip to hospital for an anti-venom treatment.

The main species in France are the asp viper, the Peliade viper, the Orsini viper and the Pyrenean (Seoane) viper (Vipera aspis, Vipera berus - also known as also known as the common European adder - Vipera ursinii, and Vipera aspis zinnikeri, respectively).

In general, the Peliade viper is found in the cooler regions of France, mostly in the north and parts of the centre.

The others can be found more in the south-west and centre, more at home in warmer climates.

The tick

The threat from ticks (Ixodida) is increasing in France, coming out from forests, wooded and long meadow grass, and spreading to public and private gardens. Around 40 species of tick exist in the country. 

While their bite is not fatal in itself (although it can cause major skin irritation) the main problem with ticks is that they can carry diseases. The most well known is Lyme disease. 

In France, around 15-20% of ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme (Lyme borreliosis), and some regions are more prone than others.

See where they are found - and report sightings near you here.

The mosquito

Another insect that is dangerous due to the diseases they can carry - not to mention the irritation of being bitten - is the mosquito.

‘Regular’ mosquitoes (Culicidae) can disrupt sleep with their high-pitched buzzing, and cause serious skin rashes with their bites. 

Yet, the real danger comes from the tiger mosquito (Aedes Albopictus), which can carry viruses such as dengue fever, and in rare cases, chikungunya and Zika.

These have now been spotted in all of France’s mainland regions, and recently the first instance of a ‘native case’ of dengue fever – where the disease was picked up in France itself, as opposed to being brought home back from abroad – was recorded.

Lesser weever fish

The lesser weever fish (Echiichthys vipera) measures between 10 and 18 cm, and makes its home in the shallow sand of the Atlantic coast, close to the shore. This makes it a danger to beachgoers, who may accidentally step on it, and risk the wrath of the venomous spines on its dorsal fin. 

The sting is extremely painful and must be treated rapidly, even though it is rarely fatal once treated. 

The effects of the venom include nausea, severe headaches, palpitations, fever and dizziness. Warmth should be applied to the affected area as soon as possible after a sting, as this can slightly reduce the venom’s effects.

The scolopendrid centipede

From the same family as millipedes and woodlice, the scolopendrid centipede (Scolopendra) is known as the ‘thousand-footed beast’ in Guadeloupe. It is found in both the French West Indies and the south of mainland France, along the Mediterranean coast.

They will attack if they feel in danger, and while most attacks are on insects, they can also bite humans. The bite is painful and can cause oedema (severe swelling).

The shark

Sharks are rare in the waters around mainland France, but are more common in the French Overseas Territories, where species include the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), and the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas).

Attacks do happen around La Réunion Island. The most dangerous are the bull shark and tiger shark, which are more likely to swim closer to the coast. 

The shortfin mako, longman (Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus), and great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) tend to prefer deeper waters, making them less of a danger to beachgoers, but more of a threat to surfers.