Snakes are some of the most fascinating creatures on earth, and they have always been a part of the world’s ecosystem, and they are still around today. Most of them live in tropical climates, but some live in temperate zones such as North America and Europe. There are more than 3,000 types of snake species on this planet. Out of 3000 species, only 600 species are considered venomous or dangerous, and out of those 600, only 200 species can kill people.
They are not just venomous, but they also can strike quickly and without warning. Some of these snakes can kill a person within minutes!
Let us take a look at the 20 deadliest snakes around the world:
1. Inland Taipan
Found in central east Australia, inland taipans are extremely venomous. Known for their shy and nervous nature, inland taipans are easily agitated and will attack anyone near them. One single bite can kill 100 adult humans. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to die from their venom. They are the most venomous out of all snakes, but they normally run from danger. Inland taipan can change the color of their skin so they can thermoregulate; this allows them to absorb more light during winter.
2. Common Krait
Also known as Bengal krait, it is native to the Indian subcontinent. They are one of the big four snakes in India. Common krait venom stops the communication between the nerves and muscles, which can cause muscular paralysis. If their venom paralyzes the muscles used for breathing, it will be life-threatening.
3. Blue Krait
Also known as the Malayan Krait, it is Asia’s most venomous snake. The Blue Krait has a color pattern of midnight-black crossbands separated by yellowish-white interspaces. Like other Kraits, when threatened, they hide their heads under the coils of their body. Their bite causes no pain, which gives the victim false reassurance. However, if left untreated, it can cause death within four hours.
4. Fer-de-lance
Central and South America’s most dangerous snake, Fer-de-lance, causes more human deaths in America than any other reptile. Just about 50 mg of its venom is fatal for humans. The longest Fer-de-lance reported was about 9.8 feet, but normally, they are around 6 feet long. They are gray or brown, with a series of black-edged diamonds often bordered in a lighter color; their unique patterns help them to camouflage.
5. Tiger Snake
One of the most venomous snakes from Southern Australia, Tiger snakes are about 1-3 feet long. Although this serpent species can be highly variable in coloration and patterns, they are commonly black and yellow like a tiger earning them the name ‘Tiger snake.’ Female tiger snakes give birth to live baby snakes instead of laying eggs.
6. Boomslang
Boomslang’s color can be striking green, brown or black top with a yellowish bellow. Its venom is so potent that even the slightest scratch can cause serious symptoms. The venom of a boomslang is slow-acting and takes 24-48 hours to show symptoms. Some symptoms are internal and external bleeding and brain and muscle tissue damage. Boomslangs have really large fangs and can open their mouth full 180 degrees to bite.
7. Gaboon Viper
It is found in the savannas and rainforests of sub-Saharan Africa. The Gaboon viper has the longest fangs. Like any other viper, this is also venomous. The fatality rate depends on the dose of venom. They like to stay away from humans.
8. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
The largest snake in the United States, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, can reach up to seven feet long, which is small compared to a cobra. They are highly venomous, but luckily, they like to hide from humans. If threatened, they give warning by hissing and rattling.
9. Anaconda
Anacondas attacking humans is rare, but there are a few cases of them attacking and killing humans after feeling threatened. They are carnivores and non-venomous. They use their strong jaws to capture their prey, then use their bodies to suffocate the prey before swallowing it whole. An anaconda can attack a whole jaguar. Although the chances of it attacking humans are low, it is never zero.
10. Beaked Sea Snake
Native to Asia, the beaked sea snake is highly venomous and causes the most deaths out of any other water snake. Its venom is 4 to 8 times more dangerous than a cobra’s. Just 1.5 milligrams of venom from this snake is probably enough to kill 22 people.
11. Mamushi
Also known as the Japanese pit viper, Mamushi is found in Japan and Russia. It is the most venomous snake in Japan. The snake’s hemolytic venom destroys cells in veins and causes continuous bleeding. Bite victims can die of acute kidney failure.
12. Texas Coral Snake
Mostly found in the southern United States and northeastern and central Mexico, Texas, coral snakes are venomous. Coral snakes are slender and have a small head with round pupils. Their venom can cause respiratory failure and cause death.
13. Russell’s Viper
Native to India’s coastal areas, Russell’s vipers are aggressive. One bite from it can cause excessive bleeding. Among all the snakes in India, Russell’s viper causes the most human deaths. They lift most of their body up while attacking to look more intimidating.
14. Cottonmouth Moccasin
Like the black mamba, Cottonmouth Moccasin got its name from the color inside its mouth. This snake can grow up to four feet. Cottonmouth Moccasins are good swimmers. They tend to spend most of their time in the water. When threatened, they coil up and hiss aggressively. They don’t normally bite people, but their venom can kill people if bitten.
15. Death Adder
Native to Australia, Death adder is a venomous land snake. Effective bites result in paralysis, and before the antivenom was introduced, around 50% of death adder victims’ situations were fatal.
16. Philippine Cobra
Also known as the Philippine spitting cobra, it is found in the Philippines, as the name suggests. The Philippine cobra is capable of launching venom from almost 10 feet away. Their venom is quite potent; if bitten, it can cause a respiratory system failure.
17. Mojave Rattlesnake
Mojave Rattlesnake, also known as Mojave green, is said to possess the most potent venom among all the other Rattlesnake species. Their body is heavy, and they have a triangular head. A bite from it often has delayed symptoms, leading the victim to think it is not severe. There are cases of them chasing humans.
18. Black Mamba
The black mamba is Africa’s largest snake; it can grow up to 14 feet, although the average is 8 feet. They are also considered one of the fastest snakes. The inside of their mouth is black-bluish in color, hence the name. Despite being one of the deadliest snakes, black mambas are shy and will try to escape instead of confronting, but if threatened, they will become over-aggressive. Black mamba venom is lethal; only two drops of it can kill an adult human.
19. King Cobra
King Cobra found in the jungles of Southern and Southeast Asia is highly venomous with a potent neurotoxin that can kill humans within minutes. King cobras aren’t ‘true’ cobras. Cobras are from the ‘Naja’ family, but King cobras are the sole members of their own group, ‘Ophiophagus.’ When threatened, a distinctive hood flares around their heads, making them look bigger and more intimidating. They are not only carnivores; but also cannibals. The name ‘King Cobra’ was given because they feast on other cobras.
20. Saw-scaled Viper
Found in the dry regions of Africa, India, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, saw-scaled vipers are the most deadly snakes. They are 1 to 3 feet long, but their irritability and agitated nature make them highly dangerous. Their poison is hemotoxic and cytotoxic, which prevents blood from clotting. In a single bite, a saw-scaled viper has a maximum of 70 mg of venom. An adult person needs 5 mg to be fatally wounded. Even the slightest weak bite from this snake can kill two people.
Conclusion
Although there are many dangerous snake species, they don’t normally prey on humans. They only attack when threatened. They’re often portrayed as sinister, evil creatures that want to kill you, but in reality, snakes are innocent creatures. They are not all dangerous. They attack for self-defense.
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