Hi guys
Most people in the world have a fear of snakes.
Those with an abnormal fear have a whole fear named for them - Ophidiophobia.
However, the fear seems perfectly rational
seeing as how dangerous some of these snakes can be.
But a question begs to be asked
Are snakes really that dangerous?
The simple answer is that while a majority of the snakes are harmless,
we still need to maintain a distance.
Bites from venomous or non-venomous snakes can be extremely painful.
There are quite a few dangerous snakes in the world
and it is always better to know what kind of snake you are dealing with
before you decide your next step.
So, in order to be better informed we bring to you the top 9 deadliest snakes in the world.
Note, this list will not be arranged in order of strong venom
but randomly, each species is scary in its own way.
1. Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis Carinatus)
The Deadliest Snake In The World
Although its venom is not very potent,
Saw-Scaled Viper is considered as one of the world’s deadliest snakes
as it is believed to be responsible for more human fatalities
than all other snakes put together.
These snakes have a stout body with a pear-shaped head
which is distinct from the neck.
Adult Saw-Scaled Vipers range in length from 0.3 to 0.9 metres
and they come in shades of brown, grey, or orange
with darker dorsal blotches and lateral spots.
They are nocturnal and feed on mammals, birds, other snakes,
lizards, amphibians, scorpions and centipedes.
They can be found in arid regions
and dry savannahs north of the Equator across Africa,
India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Middle East.
Saw-Scaled Vipers are considered to be one of deadliest snakes of the world
because they are often found in populated areas
and a lack of readily accessible antivenom in rural areas
adds to their lethality.
2. King Cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah)
The World’s Longest Venomous Snake
In India, the King Cobra is not only revered
and worshipped but also feared,
as they are one of the most venomous snakes of India.
In one bite,
a King Cobra delivers a tremendous amount of neurotoxins that induces paralysis.
They are so fearsome that they find themselves on almost all lists of world’s deadliest snakes.
Although the King Cobra is shy and avoids confrontation with humans,
it is some of the most dangerous snakes in the world when provoked.
It is, however, very caring towards its offspring.
King Cobra is the only snake that builds a nest for its eggs
and guards them till they hatch.
A female King Cobra is a very dedicated parent,
an unusual trait among snakes.
They primarily eat other snakes (including the venomous ones),
however, when food is scarce they also eat lizards, birds, and rodents.
3. Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus Microlepidotus)
A Snake With The Deadliest Venom In The World
Also known as the “fierce snake”,
the Inland Taipan is one of the world’s most venomous snakes.
A bite from this variety of Taipan often causes paralysis of the victim’s nervous system
and clots the blood.
The Inland Taipan, one of three types of Taipans (Coastal, Inland and Central Ranges),
is dark tan in colour, ranging from a rich, dark hue to a brownish light-green,
depending on the season.
This variety of Taipan is found to be smaller than the coastal variety
and can grow up to 1.7 metres in length.
A solitary creature,
these snakes primarily come out during the day.
They are most active early in the morning
and generally spend their time looking for food and basking in the sun;
however, they are also seen out in the afternoons on cooler days.
It is estimated that one bite possesses enough lethality to kill at least 100 fully grown humans.
4. Blue Krait (Bungarus Candidus)
Asia’s Most Venomous Snake
Also known as the Malayan Krait,
the Blue Krait is a highly venomous snake of the elapid family.
Its venom can paralyze its victim’s muscular system;
a truly scary thought that has earned this snake
a place on the list of the deadliest snakes in the world.
The Blue Krait has a colour pattern of bluish-black
crossbands separated by yellowish-white interspaces.
They can grow up to lengths of approximately 1.1 metres.
These Kraits are generally not aggressive or strongly defensive
and tend to bite only when really provoked.
While they primarily feed on other snakes,
they also eat lizards, mice, frogs and other small animals.
5. Black Mamba (Dendroaspis Polylepis)
The Fastest Snake In The World
The Black Mamba is the second-longest venomous snake after the King Cobra.
They are known for their large size, quickness, and extremely potent venom,
making them one of the deadliest snakes in the world.
The inside of this snake’s mouth is black,
hence its name – Black Mamba.
While they have a reputation for being aggressive,
Black Mambas are generally found to be shy and nervous.
They primarily eat small mammals and birds.
While they prefer warm-blooded prey,
a black mamba will also feed on other snakes.
They are some of the world’s fastest snakes
and are capable of speeds of more than 12 miles (19 km) per hour
and hence will be the one which can kill the fastest.
6. Tiger Snake (Notechis Scutatus)
An Australian Member Of The Cobra Family
This highly venomous snake is one of the deadliest snakes in Australia.
The Tiger Snake’s venom contains a blood-clotting agent and nerve paralyser,
therefore it can also be considered one of the world’s deadliest snakes.
They are highly variable in colour
and are often banded like the stripes on a tiger.
A Tiger snake can grow to lengths of up to 1 to 1.5 metres.
These are solitary snakes and interact only for mating purposes.
Once bitten by the tiger snake,
the victim will experience extreme pain in the foot and neck,
body tingling, excessive sweating, numbness, trouble breathing, and paralysis.
The venom can be fatal to humans and the mortality rate is nearly 60 per cent.
7. Russell’s Vipers (Daboia Russelii)
The Snake That Can Make You Bleed Out
Also known as Chain Vipers, Russell’s Viper is one of the most venomous snakes in India;
one bite from which can cause excessive bleeding.
This also makes it one of the most dangerous snakes in India
and is responsible for the most snakebite incidents
and deaths among all the venomous snakes.
Deep yellow, tan, or brown in colour,
with a series of dark brown spots (each of which has a black ring around it)
that run the length of the body,
these snakes can grow to a maximum of about 1.5 meters.
These snakes are very strong and can react violently to being picked up,
hich is why many people call them the world’s most dangerous snake.
They will either bite and let go or hold on for many seconds.
8. Common Death Adder (Acanthophis Antarcticus)
The Snake With A “Lure”
Considered to be one of the deadliest snakes in the world,
these death Adders might look similar to a viper.
Although it resembles a viper,
the Adder comes from the Elapid family of snakes,
just like the Cobra and Black Mamba.
Native to Australia,
these snakes are found in New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia.
This venomous snake is considered to be one of the deadliest snakes in Australia
and the world,
as their venom is a highly toxic neurotoxin
and their bites can result in death within six hours if left untreated.
9. Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus Scutulatus)
The Slow Killer
Also known as the Mojave Green,
the Mojave Rattlesnake is considered to possess the most potent venom
among all the rattlesnake species,
making it one of the deadliest snakes in the world.
Mojave Greens are nocturnal
and hide in the burrows of other mammals or rocks during the day.
They are aggressive towards people
and will defend themselves vigorously when disturbed.
A bite from a Mojave Rattlesnake often has delayed symptoms,
leading to an underestimation of the severity.
Within hours, bite victims will notice vision problems,
difficulty speaking/swallowing, as well as muscle weakness.
The venom causes difficulty in breathing and can lead to respiratory failure
if left untreated.
While fatalities are relatively rare as the antivenom is readily available,
one cannot deny this snake a spot on the list of the most venomous snakes in the world.
Another truth about the most venomous snakes:
Belcher’s Sea Snake has been erroneously popularized
as the most venomous snake in the world,
due to Ernst and Zug's published book Snakes in Question:
The Smithsonian Answer Book from 1996.
Associate Professor Bryan Grieg Fry, a prominent venom expert, has clarified the error
"In there, all the toxicity testing results were lumped in together,
regardless of the mode of testing
(e.g. subcutaneous vs. intramuscular vs intravenous vs intraperitoneal).
As the mode can influence the relative number,
venoms can only be compared within a mode.
Otherwise, its apples and rocks.
Studies on mice and human cardiac cell culture shows that venom of the inland taipan,
drop by drop,
is the most toxic among all snakes; land or sea.
The most venomous sea snake is actually Dubois' seasnake (Aipysurus duboisii).
The venomous bite of the Belcher sea snake is still very dangerous
because it can kill a person in less than 30 minutes,
but it is clear that they are not the most venomous snakes on the planet
as many newspapers or videos have shared.
That's all for today,
thanks for watching my clip, see you!