A kids’ guide to the most deadly animal in the world: Mosquitoes

This children’s article, The most deadly animal in the world: the mosquito, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn how mosquitoes harm people, and discover how to stay safe. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.

One tiny insect, one big problem

What’s the most deadly animal in the world? A shark? A snake? A lion?

Surprise, it’s the mosquito! This tiny flying insect causes more deaths each year than any other creature. How? Not with its bite, but with the diseases it spreads.

Why are mosquitoes so deadly?

Only female mosquitoes bite. They need blood to grow their eggs. When they bite a human, they sometimes carry germs from other people or animals. These germs can cause serious illnesses like:

• Malaria
• Dengue fever
• Zika virus
• Yellow fever

Each year, more than 600,000 people die from malaria alone, mostly in parts of Africa.

How do they do it?

Mosquitoes have special mouthparts that act like tiny straws. They use them to pierce the skin and suck blood. A mosquito carrying a virus or parasite can pass it into the person’s bloodstream during the bite.

Mosquitoes are also really good at finding humans. They can smell our sweat, feel our body heat, and see us from a distance of up to 15 metres away.

How can we stay safe?

There’s no way to get rid of all mosquitoes, but we can protect ourselves:

• Wear long sleeves and trousers in mosquito areas
• Use insect repellent on your skin
• Sleep under mosquito nets, especially in tropical countries
• Don’t let water collect in pots, tyres, or puddles, mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water

Scientists are also working on new ways to stop mosquitoes from spreading disease, including vaccines and mosquito control programs.

Weird but true mosquito facts

• There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes
• Not all mosquitoes bite humans; some prefer frogs or birds
• A mosquito can drink three times its weight in blood
• They flap their wings 500 times a second
• Mosquitoes have been on Earth for over 100 million years!

Article vocabulary list

• Mosquito – a small flying insect that bites people and animals
• Disease – something that makes people sick
• Germs – tiny things like viruses or bacteria that can cause illness
• Malaria – a serious disease spread by mosquitoes, common in hot places
• Parasite – a creature that lives inside another and can cause harm
• Insect repellent – a spray or cream that keeps bugs away
• Mosquito net – a fine net used to stop mosquitoes from biting at night
• Standing water – still water where mosquitoes can lay eggs

Comprehension questions

Just click the plus (+) to see the answer