These animals are most similar to humans, creating a natural bond and some pitfalls as well. Some diseases carried by monkeys and apes can be easily transmitted to humans. Even a small monkey can bite, potentially transmitting a virus like hepatitis C. Larger apes, such as chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas are powerful animals capable of mauling a human if they feel threatened.

They might look like an overgrown version of your pet, but don't forget that you're on the menu of almost all of the wild big cats. In North America, pumas are an occasional threat to lone hikers and small children. But all of the world's big cats — including tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards and cheetahs — can threaten lives if they are mishandled. There are an estimated 15,000 big cats kept captive in the United States, and only a small percentage of them are in accredited zoos.

The charismatic colors might catch your eye, but such pizazz is also nature's way of telling you to stay away. The poison dart frog is among the most poisonous creatures on Earth. Indigenous American Indians used the toxic secretions to poisen the tips of blowgun darts

This animal might look like a harmless, big-eyed baby ewok, but the slow loris is one of the only poisonous mammals in the world. Its subtle nature makes it popular in the illegal pet trade, but unknowing humans should stay clear of its toxin, which is released from the sides of its elbows. When threatened, the loris takes the toxin into its mouth and mixes it with saliva. The animal will also lick its hair to deter predators from attack. The toxin can cause death by anaphylactic shock.

Few fish are cuter than a fully expanded, portly pufferfish — but don't be fooled. The pufferfish is the second most poisonous vertebrate on the planet. Fishermen recommend the use of thick gloves to avoid poisoning and the risk of getting bitten when removing the hook. The poison of a pufferfish, which has no antidote, kills by paralyzing the diaphragm, causing suffocation.

They may be cute and small but they prove the age old saying that dynamite (except the Lion) does indeed come in small packages. If you do come across one of these, be sure not to get to close. You have been warned. 
*All images and descriptions found on www.mnn.com 

So why not treat your loved one to something special this Valentines season. Check out our home page to see Month of Love Specials we have going on at Marine Square this February.