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If you've been following Mytour for some time, you might recall that we've previously shared two lists featuring snakes: 10 lesser-known venomous snakes and 10 unusual and fascinating snakes. Surprisingly, we haven't yet compiled a list of the most venomous snakes – so today, we’re finally addressing that gap. Also, a quick reminder (as we pointed out in a previous list): venomous creatures inject venom when they bite, while poisonous ones harm you when touched or ingested. And for those interested, you can also explore our list of the deadliest spiders!
10. Rattlesnake
The Rattlesnake is the only snake from the Americas to make this list and is easily recognized by the distinctive rattle on the end of its tail. A member of the Pit Viper family, it can strike at a distance of up to two-thirds of its body length. The Eastern Diamondback is considered the deadliest species in North America. Interestingly, younger rattlesnakes are often more dangerous than adults because they struggle to control how much venom they inject. Most rattlesnakes carry hemotoxic venom that destroys tissue, damages organs, and causes coagulopathy (a disruption in blood clotting). Even with prompt and effective treatment, a venomous bite can lead to permanent scarring and could result in the loss of a limb or even death. Symptoms commonly include difficulty breathing, paralysis, drooling, and severe hemorrhaging. A rattlesnake bite is always life-threatening, and if untreated, especially from larger species, it can be fatal. However, the use of antivenin within the right timeframe reduces the fatality rate to below 4%.
9. Death Adder
The aptly named Death Adder is native to Australia and New Guinea. This venomous snake specializes in hunting and killing other snakes, including some from this list, usually through an ambush method. Death Adders share similarities with vipers, particularly their triangular-shaped heads and short, stout bodies. They typically inject between 40 and 100mg of venom, with an LD50 of 0.4mg to 0.5mg/kg. A bite from a Death Adder, if untreated, is among the most lethal in the world. The venom is a neurotoxin, causing paralysis and potentially death within six hours due to respiratory failure. Symptoms usually peak within 24 to 48 hours. Antivenin is highly effective in treating bites from Death Adders, particularly because of the relatively slow progression of symptoms. However, prior to the development of antivenin, the fatality rate for a Death Adder bite was 50%. With the fastest strike in the animal kingdom, a Death Adder can strike and return to its starting position in just 0.13 seconds.
8. Vipers
Vipers are widespread across much of the globe, but the Saw Scaled Viper (as seen in the video above) and the Chain Viper are considered among the most venomous. These species are mostly found in the Middle East and Central Asia, especially in regions such as India, China, and Southeast Asia. Vipers are known for their quick temper and are primarily nocturnal, often emerging after rainfall. They are also incredibly fast. The venom of most vipers causes symptoms that start with pain at the bite site, quickly followed by swelling of the affected limb. Bleeding, particularly from the gums, is a common symptom. Blood pressure drops and heart rate decreases. In severe cases, blistering may develop along the affected limb. Necrosis is typically superficial and limited to the muscles near the bite, although in extreme cases, it can be more severe. One-third of victims experience vomiting and facial swelling. Intense pain can persist for 2 to 4 weeks, and local swelling generally peaks within 48 to 72 hours. As the swelling spreads, discoloration may occur due to red blood cells and plasma leaking into muscle tissue. In the worst cases, death from septicemia, respiratory, or cardiac failure may occur between 1 to 14 days post-bite, or even later.
7. Philippine Cobra
While many species of Cobra don’t make this list, the Philippine Cobra is an exception. Its venom is the most toxic of all Cobra species, and it has the ability to spit venom as far as 3 meters. The venom is a potent neurotoxin that disrupts both cardiac and respiratory functions, leading to neurotoxicity, respiratory paralysis, and potentially death within thirty minutes. The bite itself causes minimal tissue damage. The neurotoxins interfere with nerve signal transmission by binding to the neuromuscular junctions near the muscles. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, collapse, and convulsions.
6. Tiger Snake
Native to Australia, the venomous Tiger Snake is known for its potent neurotoxic venom. While death can occur as quickly as 30 minutes following a bite, it usually takes between 6 to 24 hours. Before antivenin was developed, the fatality rate for Tiger snake bites ranged from 60 to 70 percent. Symptoms typically start with localized pain in the foot or neck area, along with tingling, numbness, and sweating. Breathing difficulties and paralysis follow shortly thereafter. Although Tiger snakes generally prefer to flee when encountered, they can become aggressive when cornered and strike with exceptional precision.
SEE ALSO: 10 Dangerous Animals Lurking In Your Backyard
5. Black Mamba
The notorious Black Mamba roams much of Africa, known for its extreme aggression and deadly accuracy when striking. It is the fastest land snake in the world, capable of reaching speeds up to 20km/h. These formidable snakes can strike up to 12 times consecutively. A single bite delivers enough venom to kill 10 to 25 adults. The venom acts swiftly as a neurotoxin, with an average dose of 100 to 120 mg per bite, though it can reach as high as 400 mg. If the venom enters a vein, only 0.25 mg/kg is enough to kill a person in 50 percent of cases. Initial symptoms include localized pain at the bite site, which is less severe than that from snakes with hemotoxins. Victims then experience tingling in the mouth and limbs, double vision, tunnel vision, confusion, fever, excessive drooling (including foaming from the mouth and nose), and pronounced ataxia. If untreated, the situation escalates to severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, shock, nephrotoxicity, cardio toxicity, and paralysis. Eventually, victims may suffer convulsions, respiratory failure, coma, and death. Without antivenin, the mortality rate approaches 100 percent, one of the highest for venomous snakes. Death can occur between 15 minutes to 3 hours depending on the severity of the bite.
4. Taipan
Another deadly species native to Australia, the venom of a Taipan is potent enough to kill up to 12,000 guinea pigs. The venom clots the victim's blood, obstructing veins or arteries. It is also extremely neurotoxic. Before antivenin was developed, no one survived a Taipan bite, with death typically occurring within an hour. Even with prompt antivenin treatment, most survivors require a lengthy stay in intensive care. The Taipan is often compared to the African Black Mamba due to similarities in morphology, behavior, and ecology.
3. Fierce Snake or Inland Taipan
Although we initially stated that multiple sub-species wouldn’t be included, the Inland Taipan rightfully earns its own spot on this list. With the most venomous bite of any land snake on Earth, its venom can reach a maximum yield of 110mg, enough to kill 100 humans or 250,000 mice! The snake's LD50 is 0.03mg/kg, making it 10 times more lethal than the Mojave Rattlesnake and 50 times more toxic than the common Cobra. Thankfully, the Inland Taipan is not typically aggressive and is seldom encountered by humans in the wild. No fatalities have been reported, although a bite could potentially kill an adult within 45 minutes.
2. Eastern Brown Snake
The Eastern Brown Snake, despite its seemingly harmless name, is incredibly deadly. Just 1/14,000 of an ounce of its venom is potent enough to kill an adult human. There are various species of this snake, with the Eastern Brown being the most venomous. Unfortunately, its natural habitat coincides with many of Australia's heavily populated areas. Known for its speed, the Brown snake can also be aggressive in certain situations, and has even been known to chase and repeatedly strike at perceived threats. Even juvenile Eastern Browns are capable of killing a human. The venom contains both neurotoxins and blood coagulants. Thankfully, less than half of bites involve venom, and these snakes tend to avoid biting unless absolutely necessary. If you encounter one in the wild, it's best to remain still, as they react primarily to movement.
1. Blue Krait
The Malayan or Blue Krait is widely regarded as the deadliest of its species. Found across Southeast Asia and Indonesia, half of all bites from the Blue Krait are fatal, even when antivenin is administered. These snakes are known to hunt and consume other snakes, including their own kind. Nocturnal by nature, they are more aggressive at night but generally quite shy during the day, often opting to hide rather than confront a threat. The venom is a neurotoxin, 16 times stronger than that of a Cobra. It works by blocking the release of chemicals at nerve endings, leading to rapid muscle paralysis. This is followed by a period of intense spasms, tremors, and cramps, which eventually leads to paralysis. Bites from Kraits are rare due to their nocturnal habits, but before antivenin was developed, the fatality rate was an alarming 85 percent. Even with timely antivenin administration, survival is not guaranteed, and death typically occurs within 6 to 12 hours. If a patient survives long enough to reach a hospital, they may still suffer from permanent coma or brain death due to prolonged hypoxia during transport.
+Belcher’s Sea Snake
Regarded as the deadliest snake on Earth, just a few milligrams of its venom can be lethal enough to kill up to 1000 people! Surprisingly, less than a quarter of its bites actually contain venom, and despite its deadly potential, the species is generally quite calm. Fishermen are often the unfortunate victims of these bites, as they tend to come into contact with the snake while pulling nets from the ocean. It is commonly found in the waters off Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
