8. Rattlesnakes
This is the only snake from the Americas on the list and it is easily identifiable by a telltale rattle on its tail. They are capable of striking up to 2/3rd of their body length and have hemotoxic venom destroying tissues destroying organs and coagulopathy. Rattlesnakes therefore have the potential to cause fatal injury.
7. Vipers
Vipers are found
throughout most of the world, but arguably the most venomous is the Saw Scaled
Viper and the Chain Viper, found primarily in the Middle East and Central Asia,
particularly India, China and South East Asia. Vipers are quick tempered and generally
nocturnal, often active after rains. They are also very fast. Most of these
species have venom that cause symptoms that begin with pain at the site of the
bite, immediately followed by swelling of the affected extremity.
6. Philippine Cobra
Most species of Cobra would not make this list; however the
Philippine Cobra is the exception. Drop for drop, its venom is the most deadly
of all the Cobra species, and they are capable of spitting it up to 3 metres.
The venom is a neurotoxin which affects cardiac and respiratory function, and
can cause neurotoxicity, respiratory paralysis and death in thirty minutes
5. Tiger Snake
Found in Australia, the Tiger snake has a very potent
neurotoxic venom. Death from a bite can occur within 30 minutes, but usually
takes 6-24 hours. Prior to the development of antivenin, the fatality rate from
Tiger snakes was 60-70%. Symptoms can include localized pain in the foot and
neck region, tingling, numbness and sweating, followed by a fairly rapid onset
of breathing difficulties and paralysis
4. Black Mamba
The feared Black Mamba is found throughout many parts of the
African continent. They are known to be highly aggressive, and strike with
deadly precision. They are also the fastest land snake in the world, capable of
reaching speeds of up to 20km/h. These fearsome snakes can strike up to 12
times in a row. A single bite is capable of killing anywhere from 10-25 adults.
The venom is a fast acting neurotoxin. Its bite delivers about 100–120 mg of
venom, on average; however, it can deliver up to 400 mg
3. Blue Krait
The Malayan or Blue Krait is, by far, the most
deadly of this species. Found throughout South East Asia and Indonesia, 50% of
bites from the deadly Blue Krait are fatal, even with the administration of
antivenin. Kraits hunt and kill other snakes, even cannibalizing other Kraits.
They are a nocturnal breed, and are more aggressive under the cover of
darkness. However, overall they are quite timid and will often attempt to hide
rather than fight. The venom is a neurotoxin, 16 times more potent than that of
a Cobra.
2. Eastern Brown Snake
Don’t let the innocuous name of this snake fool you, 1/14,000
of an ounce of its venom is enough to kill an adult human. Coming in a variety
of species, the Eastern Brown snake is the most venomous. Unfortunately, its
preferred habitat is also along the major population centers of Australia. The
Brown snake is fast moving, can be aggressive under certain circumstances and
has been known to chase aggressors and repeatedly strike at them
1. Inland Taipan
While I did say that I would not include
multiple sub-species in this list, the incredible Inland Taipan deserves a spot
of its own. It has the most toxic venom of any land snake in the world. The
maximum yield recorded for one bite is 110mg, enough to kill about 100 humans,
or 250,000 mice! With an LD/50 of 0.03mg/kg, it is 10 times as venomous as the
Mojave Rattlesnake, and 50 times more than the common Cobra. Fortunately, the
Inland Taipan is not particularly aggressive and is rarely encountered by
humans in the wild. No fatalities have ever been recorded, though it could
potentially kill an adult human within 45 minutes
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