10 Most Venomous Snakes In The World.
Number 10, Death Adder. The appropriately named Death Adder is found
in Australia and New Guinea. They actually hunt and kill
other snakes, including some on this list. Death Adders
look quite similar to vipers, in that they have triangular
shaped heads and short, squat bodies. A bite causes paralysis
and can cause death within 6 hours, due to respiratory failure.
Symptoms generally peak within 24-48 hours.
Number 9, Vipers. Vipers are found throughout most of the world,
but arguably the most venomous is the Chain Viper, and
Saw Scaled Viper, found primarily in the Middle East and Central
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. Bleeding is a common symptom, especially from the
gums. There is a drop in blood pressure and the heart rate
falls. Necrosis is usually
superficial and limited to the muscles near the bite, but may
be severe in extreme cases.
Number 8, Philippine Cobra. 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. The bite causes
only minimal tissue damage. The neurotoxins interrupt the
transmission of nerve signals by binding to the neuro-muscular
junctions near the muscles.
Number 7, 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.
Number 6, 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.
Depending on the nature of the bite, death
can result at any time between 15 minutes and 3 hours.
Number 5, Taipan. Another entry from Australia, the venom in
this snake is strong enough to kill up to 12,000 guinea pigs. The
venom clots the victim's blood, blocking arteries or veins.
It is also highly neurotoxic. Before the advent of an antivenin,
there are no known survivors of a Taipan bite, and death
typically occurs within an hour. Even with successful administration
of antivenin, most victims will have an extensive
stay in intensive care.
Number 4, Blue Krait. 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.
Death usually occurs within 6-12 hours of
a Krait bite. Even if patients make it to a hospital, permanent
coma and even brain death from hypoxia may occur, given
potentially long transport times to get medical care.
Number 3, Eastern Brown Snake. The Brown snake is fast moving, can be aggressive
under certain circumstances and has been known to
chase aggressors and repeatedly strike at them. Even juveniles
can kill a human. The venom contains both neurotoxins
and blood coagulants. Fortunately for humans,
less than half of bites contain venom and they prefer not to
bite at all if possible. They react only to movement, so
stand very still if you ever encounter one in the wild.
Number 2, Inland Taipan. 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! 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.
Number 1, Belcher's Sea Snake. The most venomous snake known in the world
is Belcher's sea snake and a few milligrams
is strong enough to kill 1000 people! Less than a quarter
of bites will contain venom, and they are relatively docile.
This snake can be found throughout waters off South East Asia and
Northern Australia. Fisherman are usually the victims of these
bites, as they encounter the species when they pull nets
from the ocean.