The most terrible and poisonous snakes. The most venomous snakes on the planet. place - black mamba
There are over 3,000 species of snakes in the world today. However, the most frightening fact is that almost a quarter of them are poisonous. If you are going on vacation, make sure that your chosen paradise in the tropics is not the habitat of one of the heroines of our rating of the most dangerous snakes in the world.
It is difficult enough to single out the most dangerous snake - a date with any of these poisonous reptiles is unlikely to leave pleasant memories. Contrary to popular belief, snake bites are fairly easy to provoke. Even a person who accidentally touches a branch on the ground, which then hooked this reptile, can bring danger to himself. Therefore, be extremely careful when walking in the steppes or any other unfamiliar areas.
Now we will tell you about the most dangerous snakes, which are most undesirable to meet, and whose bite is the worst thing you can imagine.
Ferocious Snake or Taipan
It is not for nothing that we named this species the first in the top of the most dangerous snakes. According to scientific data, this is the most poisonous snake in the world. She releases such a toxic poison that 100 adults can die from her bite at once. The same dose can kill 250 thousand mice, for example. The length of her teeth reaches 1.3 cm. The average dose of poison released is slightly more than 40 mg, but facts up to 100 mg have been recorded. Since the power of the poison is so great, this snake should be feared by everyone. It is 180 times more venomous than a cobra and 10 times more venomous than a rattlesnake.
Before the introduction of the antidote, Taipan bite deaths accounted for 90% of cases, occurring within 45 minutes. Fortunately, today, with timely assistance, a fatal outcome can be avoided, but the period will still be very painful.
Reptiles of this species live in the dry plains and fields of Australia. Basically - this is East Queensland and the northern contiguous states.
Malayan blue krait
This type of snake is very aggressive in itself. They prey on their own kind and may even kill another snake from the krait family. These snakes are nocturnal, so it is at this time that they become the most dangerous. The toxicity of their venom is 16 times greater than that of a cobra.
From the bite of the krait, convulsions appear, paralysis quickly develops. Literally 6-12 hours after this, death can occur. Before the elimination of the antidote, almost 85% of cases were fatal. Although today, even with the introduction of serum and the provision of medical care, the probability of recovery is 1: 2. This is a very small and frightening figure.
Most often, this participant in the top most dangerous snakes can be found in Southeast Asia. They are quite common there, so be careful in any of the countries in these regions.
Black Mamba
The description of this type of snake is simply terrifying. First of all, it is striking that this is the fastest snake in the world (it can move at speeds up to 20 km / h). In addition, they are unusually cruel and aggressive - in one attack, the Black Mamba can inflict up to 12 bites.
These extremely dangerous snakes strike with extraordinary accuracy. Their venom is a fast-acting neurotoxin, so it quickly gives visual symptoms. Not only is there pain at the bite sites, convulsions can also begin, consciousness becomes cloudy, tingling in the mouth, and even foam from it. If medical assistance is not provided in a timely manner, other less pleasant symptoms will be added (nausea, vomiting, perhaps even coma). Without the introduction of serum with antivenom, almost 100% of cases end in death, occurring within 20-30 minutes.
Black Mambas are common on the African continent: basically, these are regions from Ethiopia to South-West Africa, as well as from Somalia to Senegal.
Mulga or Brown King
These snakes have a characteristic brown color, and also have a length of up to 3 m. The most interesting thing is that these snakes are poisonous even at an immature age. Mulga has become famous for her unpredictable nature, as there are cases when she pursued the victim for long hours. Although, despite its aggressiveness, this type of snake does not always spit out poison. Sometimes they can just attack and not bite.
For 1 bite, this type of snake can release up to 150 mg of poison, which is a lethal dose for humans. The proportion of deaths is quite high, so it is imperative to seek medical help.
Mulga lives in Australia, in almost all of its states. An exception may be Tasmania and Victoria. Deserts, pastures, light forests are the main areas where you can meet this one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. However, it is known that in this case it is better to freeze and not move - their reaction mainly occurs on movements.
green rattlesnake
By themselves, "rattles" and so are notorious. However, this snake is the most dangerous among them. The main reasons for her intimidating image is that she is well camouflaged and, above all, can climb trees. Usually rattlesnakes are not very long, but the characteristic emitted sound immediately scares off possible aggressors. However, the Green Rattlesnake can be longer than 1 m. Its poison is deadly to humans - its main destructive power is that it thins the blood.
These reptiles are found on the northern Pacific coast of America. In the US, she is considered the most aggressive and poisonous snake. She was also noticed in Canada (British Columbia), as well as in the northwestern regions.
Be especially careful when going on a trip where you can potentially meet any of the top most dangerous snakes. Read the rules in advance on how to behave when meeting a snake - this will add confidence on the trip.
There are more than 2,500 species of snakes on our planet. They can be found everywhere except Antarctica and a few islands such as New Zealand and Ireland, and also they are not on the small islands of the Atlantic and Pacific (its central part) oceans. However, among all snake varieties, only 10% are poisonous.
Poisonous snakes use poison for hunting to kill their prey, but they can also bite for defensive purposes, but before attacking they most often try to warn the enemy about this. Snakes swallow their prey whole, without chewing it, and so that the victim does not resist and does not impede the process of swallowing, the snake stings it, injecting its poison. By the way, in a protective snake bite, there is much less poisonous substance than in a bite during a hunt.
Taipans
Taipans (lat. Oxyuranus) - very poisonous Australian snakes from the family of asps, which include only two species: a cruel snake (lat. Oxyuranus microlepidotus) and taipan (lat. Oxyuranus scutellatus). These are fairly large snakes. Their bite is considered very dangerous, even the most dangerous among all modern snakes living on Earth. Until an antidote was discovered (in 1955), people died from the bite of these snakes in 90% of cases.
Cruel (ferocious) snake (lat. Oxyuranus microlepidotus) can reach up to 1.9 m in length. It can be found in the dry flat fields of Central Australia, where it preys on small mammals and frogs. The poison of a cruel snake may well be enough to kill 100 adults. In comparison, her poison stronger than poison cobra approximately 180 times.
Taipan or coastal taipan (lat. Oxyuranus scutellatus) - this large (3-3.5 m in length) representative of asps differs from its predecessor in a bad temper and is considered one of the most aggressive snakes. Taipan is especially dangerous during periods of skin change and reproduction. Found in northeastern Australia and New Guinea. To the delight of the local population, the taipan rarely comes close to their homes, but despite this, someone suffers from its bites every year.
Black Mamba
Black mamba (lat. Dendroaspis polylepis) - the most poisonous snake of the African continent. It can be found in the savannas and woodlands of Angola, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, etc. In addition, this snake has a very bad reputation. It is considered the fastest (speeds up to 20 km / h) and aggressive snakes in Africa.
Its length can be about 2.4–3 m, and individual specimens grow up to 4.5 m in length. It got its name because of its black mouth, which terrifies anyone who meets on its path. Having bitten once, the mamba tends to bite several more times. Being the owner of such speed, the mamba often chases after its prey, and does not sit in ambush. In one bite, the mamba injects up to 400 mg of poison. The lethal dose for an adult is about 10-15 mg. Its venom causes paralysis and death.
tiger snake
Tiger snake (lat. Notechis scutatus) is another representative of asps and a resident of Australia. Although this is a medium-sized (up to 2 m) snake, however, it is very poisonous. Small animals bitten by it die instantly. The danger lies in the fact that it is found almost throughout Australia and is one of the most numerous snakes inhabiting this continent.
Spectacled snake, or Indian cobra
Spectacled snake, or Indian cobra (lat. Naja naja) - a very beautiful motley snake, growing up to 1.5-2 meters in length. Lives in India Central Asia, Southern China (to the Philippines and the islands of the Malay Archipelago). The offspring of this cobra is poisonous from the very first minutes after birth. Spectacled cobra venom contains toxins that damage the central nervous system. One gram of poison alone can kill 140 medium-sized dogs.
Malay Krait
Malay krait (lat. Bungarus candidus) is a very dangerous snake from the asp family. Extremely unfriendly. It lives in Australia, South Asia and on the islands of the Malay Archipelago. Its poison is deadly and primarily affects the human brain. Death can come quickly and even without paralytic symptoms.
Brown king, or mulga
Brown king, or mulga (lat. Pseudechis australis) is a highly venomous snake found throughout Australia. The bite of this large (up to 3 m long) snake poses a real threat to human life, since after its bite there is a high probability of death.
Nose enhydrina
Nosy enhydrina (lat. Enhydrina schistosa) is a poisonous inhabitant of the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Although it belongs to poisonous snakes, it has a rather peaceful character. Seeing a fisherman in the sea, he prefers to move away from him. The venom of this snake is 4-8 times more toxic than that of a cobra. The lethal dose for humans is about 1.5 mg of poison. Its venom contains strong neurotoxins.
sand efa
Sand efa (lat. Echis carinatus) - the most poisonous snake from the family of vipers. This medium-sized snake (50-60 cm in length) lives in clay and loess deserts, near river cliffs and in bush thickets of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as Africa, Algeria, Palestine, Persia, Arabia and in the western part of the Hindustan Peninsula . When meeting with a person, it makes a characteristic rustling sound, extracted by rubbing jagged rings. If after the bite of such a snake a person survives, then it is likely that he may remain crippled.
harlequin asp
Harlequin, or eastern asp (lat. Micrurus fulvius) is a venomous snake native to northeastern Mexico and the southeastern United States. The owner of a bright color with characteristic red, black and narrow yellow rings. The bite of this snake is very dangerous for human life. If help is not provided in time, then a person can die in 20-24 hours.
Ceylon keffiyeh
Ceylon keffiyeh (lat. Trimeresurus trigonocephalus) is one of the most aggressive venomous snakes. This inhabitant of the Pacific coast of America is notorious among the local population. Its bite is considered fatal to humans (it thins the blood, causing severe swelling).
african boomslang
African boomslang (lat. Dispholidus typus) - a very poisonous snake that lives in South and South-West Africa. Its poison is toxic: getting into the blood, it destroys the cells of the body. The poison of the African boomslang is 2 times more dangerous than the poison of the Indian cobra and viper. It belongs to very aggressive snakes, so you should not approach it and make sudden movements - it will attack without hesitation.
black snake
Black snake (lat. Pseudechis porphyriacus) - this large snake (up to 3 meters long) is afraid of all the inhabitants of Australia, since its bite is fatal to humans. It is considered a "record holder" in terms of the amount of poison released.
Common viper (lat. Vipera berus) - a poisonous snake from the genus of real vipers. Lives in Eurasia. Its bite is very painful, but rarely leads to death. At the site of the bite, hemorrhagic edema and necrosis occur. Signs of poisoning: dizziness, lethargy, headache, nausea, shortness of breath. In especially severe cases, dystrophic changes in the kidneys and liver may occur.
Ruzel's viper
Ruzel's viper (lat. Daboia russelii russelii) is common in Sri Lanka. It is considered dangerous, although not as poisonous. The thing is that where she lives, they do not produce an antidote, so many local residents die from her bites.
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The snake is one of the most dangerous creatures the globe. According to statistics, their conscience is responsible for 100-125 thousand human lives carried away venomous bites annually. And this despite the fact that only 8% of these asps are deadly. Yes, and there is no particular reason to attack them on a person: he is large as a prey.
There is still a fierce debate among scientists to determine the status of "the most venomous snake in the world." The problem lies in the different points of view on this issue. After all, snakes have so many differences: the level of toxicity of the poison, the amount of poison injected into the victim at a time, the degree of aggression of the reptile.
Hook-nosed sea snake (lat. Enhydrina schistosa)
Habitat: Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, Seychelles and Madagascar, seas around South Asian countries (Pakistan, India and Bangladesh), Thailand and Vietnam, South-East Asia(Myanmar), Australia and New Guinea.
Length: up to 1.2 m.
Color: dark gray on top, sides and whitish on the bottom.
LD index50 : 0.1125 mg/kg.
The hook-nosed snake is very poisonous, but as soon as it sees people, it tends to swim away. The reason for this is the gastronomic preferences of the residents of Hong Kong and Singapore, who are very fond of delicious delicacy. Excessive interest in snake meat involuntarily forces snakes to self-defense, therefore, 50% of all bites of sea asps account for 50% of hook-nosed counterparts.
The poison of the hook-nosed snake is almost eight times more dangerous than cobra toxins and is quite capable of being fatal. The neurotoxins and myotoxins contained in one snake bite are 90% fatal. Which, in principle, is not surprising, because the lethal dose of snake venom for humans is 1.5 mg, while the bite of a hook-nosed snake introduces from 7.9 to 9 mg.
Black mamba (lat. Dendroaspis polylepis)
Habitat: Africa.
Length: up to 3 m.
Color: gray, brown, olive or a mixture of them; a distinctive feature is a black mouth.
LD index50 : 0.111 mg/kg.
A large, venomous and swift snake from the mamba genus, attacking with particular aggression and cruelty. One bite is usually not enough for her, so the mamba tends to inject several portions of poison in a row in order to surely finish off her prey. For one bite, the snake injects from 100 to 400 mg of poison. Organs attacked by toxins fail within 20-25 minutes. If the snake manages to get into a vein or artery, then both the animal and the person will experience instant death.
Every year on the African continent, about 20,000 people die from the bites of black mambas. The situation is also complicated by the desire of these snakes to settle closer to people, so cases of finding a mamba in their own bed are quite real. That's just the irascibility of the snake does not differ, and it strives to hide at the first sight of it.
The black mamba is not only a thunderstorm in Africa, but also the most dangerous killer snake on the planet. Listed in the Guinness Book of Records, the record speed of the snake is more than 18 km / h, which is much higher than the running ability of most people. In addition, with the ability to lift half of its body off the ground, mamba can jump trees with ease.
Brindle snake (lat. Notechis scutatus)
Habitat: in the forests and open fields of Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea.
Length: up to 2 m.
Color: from dark brown to olive, has transverse stripes, the belly is yellow; on the island of Tasmania, snakes have a black color.
LD index50 : 0.131 to 0.194 mg/kg.
The snake's venom is extremely toxic and is considered the most powerful in existence, since it is quite enough to kill 400 people with one dose, from one bite. But since the tiger snake is quite peaceful, there are very few unpleasant incidents with a fatal outcome and its participation. And the tiger snake does not have much poison, so she tries to save it by trying to escape. Exceptions are cases of self-defense. Then the snake arches its neck, raises its head and strikes like a cobra.
People bitten by a tiger snake experience paralysis of the nervous system, they stop breathing, their heart stops, which ultimately leads to death.
Large flattail or sea krait (lat. Laticauda semifasciata)
Habitat: East coast of the Malay Archipelago, Brunei, Halmahera Island in Indonesia.
Length: up to 1.2 m.
Color: grayish or greenish, with 30-42 brown transverse bands, yellowish underside.
LD index50 : 0.111 mg/kg.
The big flattail is one of the most dangerous ocean snakes, the poison of which is enough to kill at least a football team. The neurotoxins contained in the poison block the work of nerve endings, and myotoxins disrupt the integrity of muscle tissues. As a result of such a powerful double blow, paralysis of the nervous system occurs, leading to death.
To the great joy of the locals, the flattail gets out of the water extremely rarely, and therefore the chances of meeting it are scanty. And the snake itself prefers not to mess with people. Moreover, there are gourmets who highly appreciate the meat of these snakes. But the fact that 1 drop of flattail poison can kill 20 people should not be forgotten either.
South Chinese multi-banded krait (lat. Bungarus multicinctus)
Habitat: swamps, plantations, mangrove forests and bushes of Burma, Laos, Taiwan, Vietnam, and mainland China.
Length: 1.5 - 1.8 m.
Color: black with white transverse stripes.
LD index50 : 0.108 mg/kg.
A snake with a bright color and deadly bite, from which every second victim dies, regardless of the provision of assistance and the introduction of an antidote. According to statistics, from 50 to 85% of attacks are fatal. Just one bite of her would be enough for ten. The toxin causes convulsions, difficulty breathing, blurred vision, diplopia, loss of voice, discomfort in the area chest and general pain leading to paralysis. After 6-12 hours death occurs.
The behavior of kraits depends on the time of day. During the day they are lazy and slow, but at night they attack without warning. These asps have a habit of settling near residential buildings, fields and gardens, which also increases the frequency of unpleasant encounters with people. Krait attacks like a viper, throwing out its head and sinking its teeth, which, by the way, are quite capable of biting through good shoes.
Taipan ordinary or coastal (lat. Oxyuranus scutellatus)
Habitat: Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia.
Length: 1.8 - 3 m.
Color: plain, light, dark brown or reddish.
LD index 50: 0.099 mg/kg.
The coastal taipan is dangerous for two reasons: it is swift, like the Black Mamba, and a person bitten by it has practically no chance of salvation. The snake's venom is extremely toxic and kills an adult human within one hour. Before the advent of an antidote in 1995, 90% of those bitten died from taipan bites.
Unlike its fellow McCoy, the coastal taipan is very aggressive, and at the slightest threat it curls up in a frightening ring and vibrates with the tip of its tail. Although the snake is most aggressive during skinning or mating seasons, don't expect it to be peaceful or accommodating at other times. Only one factor saves the locals: the coastal taipan is a rare snake that lives in sparsely populated areas.
The snake is characterized by a single bite in self-defense, but there have been 8 bites in a row. One drop of poison is enough to kill 10,000 experimental mice or 1,200 pigs. The poison stops blood flow, clogs arteries, and immobilizes muscles.
Two-color bonito (lat. Hydrophis platura)
Habitat: Indian and Pacific Ocean, from the Cape of Good Hope and New Zealand in the south to Japan in the north.
Length: up to 1 m.
Color: contrasting, can vary greatly from dark brown to light yellow, spots are present.
LD index50 : 0.067 mg/kg.
Ironically, one of the most venomous snakes is also one of the most beautiful in the world. Bonito - inhabitant sea depths and attacks people purely out of self-defense. And annoying this snake is quite difficult.
That's just the poison of the bonito is very dangerous. Possessing a certain resemblance to cobra venom, it is more toxic and can lead to the death of at least 3 adults. It has a very painful effect, so in addition to the standard suffocation, the victim of a two-colored bonito bite will suffer from hellish muscle pain. By the way, despite asphyxia, a person will be able to move, but with such torment, he is unlikely to want to. Without a vaccine, a person is doomed to death from a painful shock or paralysis of the respiratory system, and after taking the antidote, he will suffer from pain for a long time.
Reticulated or Eastern brown snake (lat. Pseudonaja textilis)
Habitat: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia.
Length: 1.1 - 1.8 m.
Color: brownish grey.
LD index 50: 0.053 mg/kg.
The reticulated snake is terrible not only for its deadly poison, but also for its very aggressive character. Of the more than 50 species of poisonous snakes living in Australia, it is this representative of reptiles that makes 80% of all mowing in the country. Thanks to this fact, the brown snake has received the dubious title of "the most dangerous among the deadly" asps.
Even the habits of this snake are provocative: it goes hunting during the day, and not at night, as its brethren do, and loves to penetrate into human habitation. Such activity in itself leads to inevitable skirmishes. And if you also scare her, then the snake will curl up into a figure eight to achieve maximum impact force, open its mouth wide and attack swiftly. And this without any warning.
The poison of Pseudonaja textilis is deadly and is an explosive mixture of anticoagulants and neurotoxins. Under the influence of such a double blow, the victim opens extensive internal bleeding, lungs and kidneys fail. The situation is aggravated by the snake's habit of strangling the victim and inflicting numerous bites.
Dubois sea snake (lat. Aipysurus duboisii)
Habitat: corals coastal zones South China Sea, the coast of Australia and the Malay Archipelago.
Length: 0.8 - 1.10 m.
Color: Pale brown in color with dark brown spots on the sides and back.
LD index 50: 0.043 mg/kg.
Although Dubois lives in shallow water, the snake periodically emerges to the surface to breathe oxygen. At such moments, bathing people can become victims of the sea serpent. Although Dubois is not aggressive, but, due to the color, vacationers can inadvertently step on a snake that is almost invisible in the water, thereby provoking a conflict. The toxins injected into the victim suppress the impulses of the nervous system responsible for breathing, cause paralysis of the lungs, and the victim simply dies of suffocation. Aipysurus duboisii is rightfully considered the most poisonous of sea snakes, because according to statistics, about 150 people die from its bites per year.
The positive point is that, despite the high toxicity of the poison, it is administered in small doses, and therefore a fatal outcome is possible only in the case of a strong manifestation of aggression by the snake and multiple bites. In addition, Dubois use venom in only 10% of their bites.
Snakes are one of the most amazing animals that evolved from lizards and have been living on Earth for over 165 million years. Reptiles inhabit almost all continents, live on land and in aquatic environment. Today, more than 3,600 species are registered, of which about 25% are poisonous. Most people only appearance these reptiles causes violent emotions.
And if some admire the mystery and stunning elegance that manifests in every snake movement, then only the name introduces others into panic horror. But the fear of reptiles, unlike other phobias, has very significant justifications, since a meeting with a poisonous snake can lead to serious consequences. Annually from snake bites more than 2 million people suffer, of which about 10% die, and another 10% lose their bitten limbs and remain disabled.
Perfect Assassins
The main weapon of poisonous snakes is large and sharp venom-conducting teeth bent back, having a special groove or internal channel through which the poison enters the wound. Composition of snake venom various kinds reptiles is not the same, but in any case it negatively affects human body, causing severe allergic reactions and intoxication, affecting tissues and internal organs.
In addition, these reptiles are perfectly camouflaged, move silently, swim well and easily penetrate hard-to-reach places, which makes them ideal killing machines. Although, for the sake of justice, it is worth noting that reptiles primarily use poison for hunting, and not for self-defense. Aggressiveness in relation to a person, as a rule, is shown only in response to provocations and in the protection of offspring. What are the most venomous snakes to avoid?
Poisonous reptiles of Russia
In Russia, the common viper is the most common. She lives in wild forests and steppes, in swamps and near rivers, including in the northern regions of the country, as he loves more low temperatures than her relatives. It is a relatively small reptile whose flat triangular head resembles an arrowhead. An evil and frightening appearance of the reptile is given by unusual vertical pupils with supraorbital shields hanging over them. Coloring can be the most diverse from grayish to jet black. A clearly defined zigzag pattern stands out along the back against the main background.
When meeting people, the viper usually freezes or begins to quickly crawl away, never attacking first. Aggression shows only when it is attacked, trying to grab or start to pursue. Its bite is potentially dangerous, but rarely leads to death. Just to produce poison, the viper spends a lot of energy and strength, so it injects it into its prey or enemy very economically. As a result, human mortality is no more than 1%, and in 70% of cases, the symptoms of a bite disappear after a couple of days, although it’s definitely not worth the risk once again.
The list of the most poisonous snakes found on the territory of the Russian Federation also includes rattlesnakes.
Representatives of this species, unlike vipers, have a special sense organ - a thermolocator, thanks to which they determine even slight fluctuations in air temperature. This "device" allows you to successfully hunt warm-blooded animals, including at night. When danger arises, rattlesnakes take a threatening position and begin to dynamically shake the tip of the tail with a rattle, which is the old skin that remains after molting. Dried horn cases, when vibrated, emit a characteristic crackling sound. By the way, rattlesnake venom is used in medicine for the preparation of a number of drugs and vaccines.
Poisonous and dangerous land snakes
In terms of toxicity, the 2nd place is occupied by the eastern (reticulated) brown snake, which lives in the eastern part of Australia, as well as in Indonesia. Color, despite the name, can be the most diverse from light yellow to gray and black. The reptile inhabits not only eucalyptus forests and wild steppes, but also occurs in farmlands, which is associated with a considerable number of deaths. When meeting with a human, the individual does not run away, but aggressively raises its head, bends in an S-shape and immediately attacks. The victim can lose the creation in just a couple of minutes. If first aid is not provided in a timely manner and antivenin is not administered to stop the effects of intoxication, even a lethal outcome is not ruled out.
Taipan McCoy or, as they are also called, a cruel snake is a representative of the aspid family. This large reptile up to 2-2.5 m long lives mainly in the deserts of central Australia. The body color can vary from light yellow to dark brown, and the color depends on the season of the year.
Taipan's bite is the most dangerous among the poisonous snakes that live on the Earth's land. The venom has a neurotoxic effect on the body, so there is usually no redness or swelling at the site of the bite, but neurotoxins quickly affect nervous system stopping neuromuscular transmission. Death occurs in 8 hours or less from paralysis of the respiratory center. A dose of 44 mg is enough to kill 250 thousand rodents and kill a hundred people, and a semi-lethal dose (0.01 mg / kg) is almost 200 times stronger than the poison of other members of the family, for example, cobras. Fortunately, in the mid-1950s of the last century, an antidote was developed for snake venom. Prior to this, the chances of surviving a bite were less than 10%.
Cases of attacks by inland taipan are primarily associated with the careless behavior of people. Their main diet is made up of small animals, and reptiles try not to meet with humans, unlike large, fast, very aggressive and also poisonous coastal taipans. These reptiles also live in Australia and are diurnal, hunting rodents near human settlements. When meeting with a person, such a taipan does not run away, but, on the contrary, rises and shakes its head, and then attacks with lightning speed and beats the enemy several times in a row.
Despite the invention of an antidote, even today, every 2nd bitten person dies from the poison of this species of taipan, especially in their mass habitats.
Poisonous snakes of the water area
The most poisonous snakes on our planet live not only on the surface, but also in the coastal waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Marine creepers have a length of 1.2 to 2.75 m, and the body ends with a strongly flattened tail from the sides. Marine reptiles from an anatomical point of view are very different from terrestrial relatives. Despite the absence of gills, reptiles do not suffocate underwater. The large right lung acts as a hydrostatic organ, and the nostrils have shut-off valves. Moreover, reptiles can even breathe underwater, assimilating dissolved oxygen through the oral mucosa.
Marine species have the strongest highly toxic poisons. This is due to the fact that their diet consists mainly of cold-blooded aquatic animals, which, in comparison with warm-blooded animals, are more resistant to the action of toxic substances. But marine individuals use their powerful weapons mainly for hunting, and if you do not provoke a predator, then it is unlikely to bite. Otherwise, a lightning attack will follow. A bite can cause severe consequences, and in some cases death. The Dubois sea snake is considered the most venomous.
The largest snake
The king cobra is the largest venomous snake, whose body length can reach 5 meters or more. Back in 1937, an individual 5 m 71 cm long was caught, which was later kept for a long time in the London Zoo.
Cobras grow all their lives, which is 30 years or more. They mostly live in the tropics of Asia. Before pouncing on the enemy, these snakes raise their heads vertically to a third of the front of the body, expand the cervical ribs, forming a kind of hood, loudly emit characteristic barking sounds with the help of respiratory movements, make a warning throw and a “blank bite”, trying to scare away.
Usually cobras are very patient and can control the consumption of poison, trying not to waste it. At the same time, 7 ml of poison is enough for an adult to die within 15 minutes. When meeting with a cobra, you need to sit down at the level of its head and freeze so that it does not see the danger and calmly crawls away.
The most dangerous representative of the true cobra genus is the Philippine cobra, since its poison is very toxic, and the lethal dose is only 0.2 ml / kg. In addition, Philippine cobras are capable of shooting poison into the eyes of their opponent from a distance of 3 meters.
Where do most snakes live on the planet
The inhabitants of Africa share their continent with four hundred species of snakes, including some of the most venomous in the world. For comparison, in Australia there are 2 times more reptiles. At the same time, the highest death rate from snake bites is registered in India, where more than 50 thousand people die per year.