World’s most venomous snake – inland taipan – is shy, but deadly
More than 3,000 species of snakes slither across the globe, according to National Geographic. Of these species, approximately 600 are venomous, with 7%, roughly 210, being poisonous enough to kill or injure a human.
Venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins and coral snakes can be found in the U.S.
So, which species packs the most venomous punch?
What is the most venomous snake in the world?
The inland or western taipan, Oxyuranus microlepidotus, is the most venomous snake in the world, according to Britannica.
Native to Australia, this snake has the deadliest venom based on median lethal dose, or LD50, tests on mice. LD50 is “the amount of a toxic agent ... sufficient to kill 50 percent of a population of animals usually within a certain time,” according to Merriam Webster.
Although it is nicknamed the “Fierce Snake,” the inland taipan is regarded as being shy unless provoked.
Inland taipans make single or multiple quick bites when they attack. Reactions to their venom includes headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, collapse and paralysis. There have been few recorded bites by inland taipans, and all victims have survived due to immediate medical attention.
The inland taipan’s venom also contains a “spreading factor,” or hyaluronidase enzyme, which increase the permeability of the toxins throughout the bitten person’s body.
While its venom is dangerous, the inland taipan is “rarely encountered in its remote, semi-arid homeland,” says the Australian Museum. Interaction with humans does not occur frequently.
What are the top five poisonous land snakes?
According to the Australian Venom Research Unit at the University of Melbourne, Australia, here are the top five poisonous land snakes in the world, as of 2015:
Inland taipan
Eastern brown snake Coastal taipan
Tiger snake
Black tiger snake
What is the deadliest snake?
The saw-scaled viper, Echis carinatus, is considered the deadliest snake in the world, according to Britannica. Scientists say this snake is responsible for “more human deaths than all other snake species combined.”
Its venom is not as lethal as other snakes’, but these vipers are far more aggressive. They are quick to strike and bite often when attacking.
Saw-scaled vipers are found across Africa and from southwestern Asia to India and Sri Lanka, particularly in arid and dry areas. Adult vipers of this species can reach between 1 to 3 feet in length, says Britannica.