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| Venomous Snakes |
10 Of The Most Venomous Snakes On The Planet With Pictures
Most people around the world are afraid of snakes because they know that snakes are poisonous. For people who have an abnormal fear, a fear is named Ophidiophobia. But this fear is absolutely proven because some of these snakes can be poisonous and dangerous.
But a question must be asked, are snakes really so dangerous and poisonous? The simple answer is that most of the snakes found in the world are not poisonous, yet we should maintain a distance. Bites by poisonous or non-poisonous snake species can be extremely painful. There are many dangerous snakes found in the world.
According to biologists, the word poisonous is used when an organism releases a poisonous substance when it bites. The word venomous is used when organisms bite or sting and organisms inject their poison substances through bites.
1. Black Mamba Snake
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| Black Mamba Snake |
This snake named Black Mamba is considered to be one of the fastest and most dangerous snake species. After the King Cobra, the Black Mamba snake is the second longest and most poisonous snake. Black Mamba snakes are known for their large size, agility and extremely powerful venom which makes Black Mamba one of the most dangerous snakes in the world.
The inside of the mouth of the Black Mamba snake is black in color, hence this snake is named Black Mamba. The head of the Black Mamba is coffin-shaped and their color can vary from olive, yellow-brown, khaki and gunmetal but Black Mamba snakes are rarely black.
The length of a Black Mamba snake is about 2-2.5 meters and apart from this, these snakes are known to be aggressive. These snakes are mostly found to be shy and nervous. Black Mamba eat mammals and birds. Black Mamba snakes prefer warm-blooded prey. A black mamba also eats other snakes.
Black Mamba snakes can be seen in Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. If Black Mamba snakes are disturbed or cornered then Black Mamba will attack by biting repeatedly.
The venom of the Black Mamba is extremely toxic and only 2 drops are enough to kill humans. The venom of this snake attacks both the nervous system and the heart and most bites are fatal making it a dangerous snake in its habitat and one of the most dangerous snakes.
Black Mamba snakes are some of the fastest snakes in the world and are capable of speeds of over 19 km per hour so Black Mamba can kill the fastest people. A black mamba can live for around 11 years in the wild and over 20 years in a zoo.
2. Belcher's Sea Snake
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| Belcher's Sea Snake |
This snake, also known as Belcher's Sea Snake, is extremely poisonous. A single bite from Belcher's Sea Snake can kill a person in less than 30 minutes. Belcher's Sea Snake snakes are small and have a slender body.
Belcher's Sea Snake has a yellow cover and green crossbands on its body. Belcher's Sea Snake can be about 0.46 to 1 meter long. According to recent studies, Belcher's Sea Snake mostly eats small fish and eels. Belcher's Sea Snake is also found to be shy and timid in nature.
This poisonous snake can mostly be seen in the tropical reefs of the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Thailand, New Guinea, Indonesia and Philippines coast. According to some studies, the venom of Belcher's Sea Snake is 100 times more powerful than the Inland Taipan.
The Belcher's Sea Snake's venom contains high levels of neurotoxins and myotoxins and a single drop is believed to be enough to kill 1,800 people, making this venomous snake one of the most dangerous snakes in the world.
Belcher's Sea Snake avoids attacking us due to their nature. Symptoms of poisoning by this snake include excessive nausea and vomiting, migraine headaches, diarrhea, extreme stomach pain, dizziness and cramps.
Some other symptoms of Belcher's Sea Snake bite include paralysis, muscle weakness, excessive bleeding, hysteria, respiratory failure and kidney failure, and immediate treatment is important to prevent death.
3. Common Death Adder Snake
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| Common Death Adder Snake |
Considered as one of the most dangerous snakes in the world, this venomous snake may look similar to the Death Adders Viper which is one of the most dangerous and venomous snakes in the world. But the Common death adder snake resembles a viper and comes from the elapid family of snakes just like the Black Mamba.
The Common death adder snake has a broad, flattened head, triangular and thick body covered with red, brown and black stripes. Common death adder snakes are small in size and can grow up to a size of about 0.4 meters long. Common death adder snakes have large pointed teeth and a lure that resembles a small worm at the end of their tail.
Common death adder snakes are solitary in nature and are mostly nocturnal. Common death adder snakes are adept at camouflage and can easily hide under loose leaves and debris. But Common death adder snakes are not aggressive. Common death adder snakes are dangerous to humans who live in forests.
Because Common death adder snakes prefer to hide themselves rather than run away, which is waiting for some disaster to happen, which brings them to the list of the most dangerous snakes in the world. Common death adder snakes eat small mammals, birds, frogs and small reptiles.
Common death adder snake snakes are native to Australia and these snakes can be seen in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Apart from this, this poisonous snake is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in Australia and the world because the venom of the Common death adder snake is a more toxic neurotoxin.
Common death adder snake has the longest teeth among all the snakes of Australia. Common death adder snake can lie in wait for its prey for several days. If the bite of Common death adder snake is not treated, then death can occur within 6 hours.
The venom of Common death adder snake mostly causes paralysis and can completely shut down the respiratory system. But antivenom has been developed for the bite of Common death adder snake. But the venom can still cause death as antivenom can only slow down the symptoms to a certain extent. Read- Top 12 Most Beautiful Butterflies In The World With Pictures
4. King Cobra Snake
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| King Cobra Snake |
In India, the King Cobra Snake is not only revered and worshipped but is also feared. Because King Cobra Snake is considered to be one of the most poisonous snakes in India. With just one bite, the King Cobra releases a large amount of neurotoxin poison which induces paralysis.
The King Cobra Snake is dark olive or brown in appearance with black stripes and white and yellow with cream or light yellow stripes on the underside. The length of this dangerous and poisonous snake is about 3 to 4 meters and it has blackheads with two crossbars near the snout and two behind the eyes.
Young King Cobra Snakes are shiny black with thin yellow stripes. The King Cobra Snake is shy and avoids confrontation with humans but when provoked, it is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. Apart from this, the King Cobra Snake takes great care of its offspring.
The King Cobra is the only snake that builds a nest for its eggs and protects them until they hatch. The female King Cobra is a very devoted mother which is an unusual trait among snakes. King Cobras eat other snakes but when food is scarce they also eat lizards, birds and rodents.
King Cobra snakes can be found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. King Cobra snakes are monogamous which means that these snakes mate with only one partner throughout their life.
The world's longest and most poisonous King Cobra snake's venom is so powerful that it can kill an elephant in a matter of hours and can cause death in 50 to 60 percent of humans if left untreated.
5. Inland Taipan Snake
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| Inland Taipan Snake |
inland taipan snake is also known as fierce snake which is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world. The bite of this poisonous snake species causes paralysis of the nervous system of the victim and blood clots. Inland taipan snake is one of the 3 types of taipans.
inland taipan snake is dark brown in color which ranges from dark brown to light green depending on the season. This species of snake is found to be smaller than the coastal species and is about 1.7 meters in length. inland taipan snake snakes are solitary creatures and they come out during the day.
inland taipan snakes are most active in the early morning and spend their time looking for food and basking in the sun. But inland taipan snakes are also seen in the afternoon on cold days. inland taipan snake is a more poisonous and dangerous snake. Inland taipan snakes are mostly shy and prefer to avoid trouble.
But inland taipan snakes will defend themselves and may attack if angered, mistreated or prevented from escaping. This has earned the inland taipan snake a place in the list of the most dangerous snakes in the world. This venomous snake only eats mammals and mostly eats rodents such as long-haired rats, field mice and house mice etc.
Inland taipan snakes are native to Australia and can be seen in the southern part of the country, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The venom of inland taipan snakes contains taipoxin which is a complex mixture of neurotoxins, procoagulants and myotoxins that can interfere with breathing. This dangerous venom can cause bleeding in blood vessels and tissues and damage muscles.
Respiratory paralysis can occur between two and six hours after being bitten by an inland taipan snake. The inland taipan snake is extremely fast and agile and can attack instantly with more accuracy. This snake is called a fierce snake because of its venom and not because of its temperament.
6. Saw-Scaled Vipers Snake
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| Saw-Scaled Vipers Snake |
The venom of the Saw-scaled vipers snake is not very powerful but this snake is considered one of the deadliest snakes in the world. Apart from this, the Saw-scaled vipers snake is considered responsible for a greater number of human deaths than all other snakes. The Saw-scaled vipers snake has a thick body and a pear-shaped head.
Saw-scaled vipers snake can be about 0.3 to 0.9 meters in length. Saw-scaled vipers are brown or orange in color with dark spots and lateral blotches. Saw-scaled vipers are nocturnal and feed on mammals, birds, other snakes, lizards, amphibians, scorpions and centipedes.
Saw-scaled vipers can be seen in arid areas and dry savannahs north of the equator in Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Middle East. Apart from this, the Saw-scaled Viper snake is considered one of the most deadly and dangerous snakes in the world.
Saw-scaled viper snakes are mostly found in populated areas and the lack of readily available antivenom in rural areas increases their lethality. A Saw-scaled viper snake can live for about 23 years.
7. Blue Krait Snake
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| Blue Krait Snake |
Also known as the Malayan Krait, this snake is one of the more venomous snakes of the Elapid family. The venom of the blue krait snake can paralyze the muscular system of its prey. A really scary thought that has earned the blue krait snake a place in the list of the most dangerous snakes in the world.
This snake has a color pattern of blue-black crossbands separated by yellow-white interspaces. Blue krait snakes grow up to a length of about 1.1 meters. Blue krait snakes are not aggressive or strongly defensive and only bite when really provoked.
While blue krait snakes eat other snakes it also eats lizards, mice, frogs and other small animals. Blue krait snakes have been found to be nocturnal while hunting and have been found in fields, pits and sometimes even in houses.
Blue krait snakes are also found near water sources such as rivers, lakes and ponds. Blue krait snakes can be found in Peninsular Malaysia, Central Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Indonesia, Singapore and Sumatra.
The venom of the blue krait snake contains extremely potent neurotoxins composed of presynaptic and postsynaptic venom substances. The blue krait snake is known to directly attack a person's ability to speak or think clearly and can paralyze muscles.
The venom of the blue krait snake also attacks the respiratory system of the person causing suffocation within a few hours. The bite of the blue krait snake does not cause any pain which gives false reassurance to the victim. But if left untreated, death can occur within four hours. Read- Tragopan Bird | Unique Facts About This Colorful bird
8. Tiger Snake
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| Tiger Snake |
Tiger snake is a very poisonous snake which is one of the most dangerous snakes in Australia. The venom of this snake contains blood clotting agent and nerve paralysis, so Tiger snake can also be considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. Tiger snakes are more variable in color and are mostly like stripes.
A tiger snake is about 1 to 1.5 meters in length. Tiger snakes are solitary snakes and live together only for mating. Tiger snakes are active during the day but it is also considered active during hot nights. Similar to cobras, Tiger snakes become aggressive when startled. But Tiger snakes mostly avoid people and can attack if disturbed or provoked.
Tiger snakes eat frogs and also eat other reptiles, fish, birds and small mammals. Tiger snakes are native to Australia and can be seen in Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.
The venom of this dangerous snake contains more potent neurotoxins, coagulants, myotoxins, and hemolysins. Once bitten by a tiger snake, the victim experiences extreme pain in the legs and neck, tingling in the body, excessive sweating, numbness, breathing problems, and paralysis.
Tiger snake venom can be dangerous to humans and the mortality rate is about 60 percent. Tiger snakes often hunt in water and can stay submerged for up to 9 minutes. Tiger snakes are also known to climb trees and bushes.
9. Mojave Rattlesnake
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| Mojave Rattlesnake |
Also known as Mojave Green, the mojave rattlesnake is considered to have the most powerful venom among all rattlesnake species making it one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. Apart from this, these snakes vary from light green to brown in color and can easily blend in.
Mojave rattlesnakes are about 1 meter in length with the longest being 1.37 meters. Mojave rattlesnakes have a heavy body and triangular head. Mojave rattlesnakes are nocturnal and hide in the burrows of other animals or rocks during the day. Mojave rattlesnakes are aggressive towards people and defend themselves vigorously when disturbed.
This dangerous snake shakes its tail while making a buzzing sound to warn before attacking. Mojave rattlesnakes feed on lizards, toads, birds, small rodents and rabbits. Native to Mexico and the United States, the mojave rattlesnake can also be seen in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Mojave rattlesnake bites tend to have delayed symptoms, which can lead to an underestimation of their severity. Within a few hours of being bitten by this snake, victims start showing vision problems, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and muscle weakness.
Also, the venom causes difficulty breathing and can lead to respiratory failure if left untreated. But still, deaths are low because anti-venom is readily available. But no one can deny the mojave rattlesnake a place in the list of the world's most venomous snakes.
10. Russell's Viper Snake
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| Russell's Viper Snake |
Russell's Viper snake is also known as chain viper and is one of the most venomous snakes in India. A single bite from Russell's Viper snake can cause excessive bleeding. This makes this snake one of the most dangerous snakes in India and is responsible for the highest number of snakebite incidents and deaths among all venomous snakes.
Russell's Viper snake is dark yellow, brown in colour, with a chain of dark brown spots that extends the length of the body and this snake can grow up to about 1.5 meters long. Russell's Viper snakes are solitary reptiles and hunt at night. In cold weather Russell's Viper snakes become more active even during the day.
Russell's Viper snakes are slow and sluggish but when threatened Russell's Viper snakes can become very aggressive making them really dangerous snakes. Russell's Viper snakes eat rodents but they also consume smaller reptiles, land crabs, scorpions and other creatures.
The babies of this venomous snake mostly hunt lizards and when grown up they hunt rodents. Russell's Viper snakes can be seen in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, Cambodia, China, Taiwan and Indonesia.
Russell's Viper snakes are very powerful and can react violently when picked up which is why many call Russell's Viper snake the most dangerous snake in the world. Russell's Viper snakes will either bite and let go or hold on for several seconds. Russell's Viper snake venom is mostly lethal to humans in a dose of 40-70 mg.
A bite from this venomous snake can cause excessive bleeding, rapid drop in blood pressure and heart rate, blisters, necrosis, vomiting, swelling of the face, kidney failure and blood clotting. A Russell's Viper snake bite can cause severe tissue damage, with approximately 29 percent of survivors suffering damaged pituitary glands.
Snakes Facts For Kids
1. What is the most interesting fact about snakes?
1. There are more than 3,700 species of snakes in the world. 2. Snake species evolved 142 million years ago. 3. Some species of snakes live in the sea. 4. Snakes smell through their tongues.
2. What abilities do snakes have?
Snakes can smell with their tongues. Snakes can "see" heat. Snake venom can kill and heal. Some snake species can fly. Snakes can shed their skin. Snakes can "hear" with their jaws.
3. What are the characteristics of snakes?
Snakes have many characteristics including scales, side-to-side movement, and a unique ability to detect smells.
4. What is the biggest snake fact?
Green anacondas are the heaviest snakes in the world and the heaviest anaconda ever recorded weighed 227 kilograms. This giant snake was 8.43 meters long and its thickness was 1.11 meters. Apart from this, the reticulated python is long, it is also thin.
5. Where do snakes sleep?
Where a snake sleeps depends on the lifestyle of the snake. Arboreal and semi-arboreal species of snakes sleep wrapped or coiled on tree branches and twigs. Ground-dwelling species such as sand boas sleep in piles of debris.
6. Who are the enemies of snakes?
Snakes have many natural enemies in the wild including birds, mammals, crocodiles, turtles and other snakes that prey on them.
7. What do snakes eat?
Snakes prefer to eat animals including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects. The diet of snakes depends on the species, size and where they live.
8. Can snakes smell blood?
Snakes can smell and snakes can smell almost everything by using their tongues to trap airborne particles and transfer them to an organ in their mouths.
9. How do snakes smell?
Snakes species smell by moving their forked tongues to collect odor particles in the air and which are analyzed by Jacobson's organ, a special organ located in the roof of the snake's mouth, allowing the snake to detect odors with incredible sensitivity.
10. What is the behavior of a snake?
The snakes move away when approached and do not attack or stalk people, except for racers which mostly go into a state of panic and engage in a behavior called periscoping, in which the snakes raise their heads above the grass to look for danger and then lower themselves.