Have you or anyone you know ever been attacked by a snake? We hope not, because some of the most dangerous bites, as we know, come from snakes. And while not all snakes are venomous, some have enough potential to kill a person within half an hour. These are the abilities of the most poisonous snakes on the planet.
They can be found everywhere - from the arid deserts of Australia to the tropical courtyards of Florida mansions. Those unlucky enough to fall prey to the snake describe excruciating symptoms such as difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, numbness and organ failure. This is a relatively painful way to die.
And although there is an antidote, thanks to which many people have managed to survive, if the necessary actions are not taken immediately, then the bites of many poisonous snakes can claim life in a very short time.
From the chain-linked viper to the black mamba, here are the 25 most venomous snakes living on our planet.
And to be clear, most (if not all) venomous snakes have no intention of attacking humans. Usually they just want not to be bothered. This must be taken into account by a person confronted with a dangerous reptile. Of course, if his life is dear to him.
25. Common Jararaka
The common jararaka is the most abundant and best known venomous snake in densely populated areas of southeastern Brazil, where it accounts for 80-90% of snake bites. The fatal outcome is 10-12% without medical assistance.
24. Viper
Vipers are considered one of the most poisonous snakes on the planet. They feed on small animals (such as rats), which they hunt by striking and injecting their prey with a lethal, paralyzing venom.
23. Green mamba, or western mamba
The green mamba is a highly alert, irritable and extremely fast snake that is predominantly found in the coastal rainforests, scrub and wooded regions of West Africa.
Like all other mambas, the western mamba is one of the most poisonous species of the adder family. Its bite can kill several people in a short time if an antidote is not immediately administered.
22. Narrow-headed mamba
Like other members of the mamba genus, the narrow-headed mamba is a highly poisonous animal. One bite can contain enough venom to kill several people.
The poison affects the nerves, heart and muscles, quickly being absorbed through the tissues. After the bite, life-threatening symptoms typical of mamba bites quickly appear: swelling of the bite site, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing and swallowing, irregular heartbeat, convulsions and, ultimately, respiratory paralysis.
21. South China multi-banded krait
Based on several studies of LD50 (the dose that kills 50% of individuals), South China multibanded kraits are among the most venomous land snakes in the world. This species was first described by the English zoologist Edward Blyth in 1861, and has since been recognized as one of the most dangerous snakes to humans.
20. Pit viper
These reptiles are found in lowlands, often near human habitations. Their proximity to human habitat is perhaps the reason why they are considered the most dangerous to humans, even though their venom is not as lethal as that of other snakes. Pit vipers are a leading cause of snakebite incidents in their habitats.
19. Russell's viper, or chain viper
The Russell's viper is one of the most dangerous snakes throughout Asia, causing thousands of deaths every year. After being bitten, a person experiences a wide range of symptoms, including pain, swelling, vomiting, dizziness and kidney failure.
18. Black and white cobra
Not as notorious as its Indian cousin, this fast and irritable snake is considered very dangerous. Sensing a threat, it assumes a typical cobra warning position, raising the front part of its body off the ground, spreading its narrow hood and emitting a loud hiss.
These snakes bite humans less frequently than other African cobras due to a number of factors, although their bite is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
17. Taipan, or coastal taipan
The coastal snake is considered the most dangerous snake in Australia. This is an extremely irritable and vigilant snake that reacts with lightning speed to any movement nearby.
Like any snake, the taipan prefers to avoid conflict and will quietly slip away if given the chance. However, if she is caught off guard or cornered, she will defend herself fiercely, and her venom will likely result in death within hours.
16. Dubois sea snake
This swimming snake is found from the northwestern coast of Australia to the islands of New Guinea and New Caledonia. And although the venom of the Dubois sea snake is one of the deadliest known, less than 1/10 of a milligram is injected during a bite, which is usually not enough to kill a person.
15. Schlegel's prehensile-tailed bothrops
A typical ambush predator, the prehensile-tailed Schlegel's bothrops patiently waits for its unsuspecting prey to pass by. Sometimes he chooses a specific place for an ambush, and returns there every year during the spring migration of birds.
14. Boomslang
Many venomous members of the colubrid family, which includes the boomslang, are harmless to humans due to small venom glands and ineffective venomous teeth. However, the boomslang is a notable exception when it comes to the toxicity of the venom, which is found in the poisonous teeth located in the middle of the upper jaw.
When they bite, boomslangs can open their jaws 170°, releasing large amounts of venom, which usually leads to the death of the victim due to internal and even external bleeding.
13. Coral adder
At first glance, the bite of this poisonous eastern snake seems weak: there is almost no pain or swelling, and other symptoms may occur only after 12 hours. However, if an antidote is not administered, the neurotoxin begins to disrupt the connection between the brain and muscles, causing speech impairment, double vision, muscle paralysis and, ultimately, pulmonary or heart failure.
12. Western brown snake, or guardar
The Western brown snake is a very fast and highly venomous species of the slate family native to Australia. Its color and pattern vary greatly depending on location, but poison and mortal danger, posing a threat to the life of the victim (including humans), is standard.
11. Efa, or sand efa
Ephas are small but very irritable and aggressive snakes, and their deadly venom makes them very dangerous. They usually strike very quickly, and the mortality rate from their bites is very high.
In their native regions (Africa, Arabia, Southwest Asia), ephs are responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined.
10. Rattlesnake
Although rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal to humans if prompt medical attention (including antivenom) is provided, they are nonetheless the most common of all snake bites.
The highest concentrations of rattlesnakes are found in southwestern and northern Mexico, while Arizona is home to as many as 13 species of rattlesnakes.
9. Spectacled snake, or Indian cobra
This snake is perhaps the most popular in the world. Possessing highly toxic poison, it feeds on rodents, lizards and frogs.
The Indian cobra, in addition to bites, can also attack or defend itself at a distance of “spitting” its venom, which, if it gets into the enemy’s eye, causes sharp and severe pain, causing severe damage.
8. Black Mamba
Black mambas are very fast, irritable, deadly poisonous and, when threatened, very aggressive. They are considered the culprits of numerous human deaths, and African myths exaggerate their capabilities to legendary proportions. Therefore, it is widely accepted that they are the deadliest snakes on the planet.
7. Tiger snake
Native to Australia, tiger snakes have a truly fearsome reputation throughout the country, where they are considered one of the most dangerous predators for humans.
These reptiles are very dangerous due to their aggressiveness and toxicity of the poison. However, tiger snakes are highly resilient, adapting admirably to some of Australia's harshest living conditions.
6. Indian krait, or blue bungarus
The blue bungarus, which is often found in Thailand, is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the world, as more than 50% of all its bites are fatal, even taking into account the introduction of antibodies against snake venom antigens (antidote).
5. Eastern Brown Snake, or Reticulated Brown Snake
This snake is considered the second most venomous land snake on the planet, according to the LD50 (a measure of the lethal dose of toxin) in mice. It lives in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, where it brings mortal terror to people.
4. Deadly snake
The death snake is a genus of venomous snakes from the viper family, found naturally in Australia. It is one of the most poisonous land animals in Australia and the world.
Unlike other snakes, a deadly snake can spend many days waiting for its prey before the victim appears. She hides in the foliage, and when the prey approaches, she quickly attacks, injecting her poison, and then waits for the prey to die before starting the meal.
3. Philippine cobra
Of all the cobra species, Philippine cobras may have the most toxic venom, according to toxicology experts. As a result of the bite of this snake, a person’s death can occur within half an hour.
Its venom has the deadly ability to interrupt the transmission of nerve signals and damage the respiratory system, making it one of the deadliest and most venomous snakes in the world.
2. Fierce snake
This snake of the taipan genus is also known as the inland or desert taipan. The impressive feature of this snake is not even the high toxicity of the venom, but the speed with which it bites its prey.
It usually kills its prey with a series of quick and precise strikes, during which it injects its extremely toxic venom deep into the rodent. Its venom is unmatched in toxicity among all snakes living on our planet.
1. Belcher's sea snake
According to many experts, the venom of the Belcher sea snake is almost 100 times more toxic than the venom of any other snake on the planet.
To give you an idea of the toxicity of its venom, one drop of King Cobra venom can kill over 150 people, while just a few milligrams of Belcher's sea snake venom can kill over 1,000 people.
The good news is that this snake is considered very timid, not aggressive - you need to try very hard to provoke it into biting.
Every year, between 20,000 and 125,000 people die from snakebites. Today, this makes them the most dangerous group of vertebrates on our planet.
Almost all the TOPs of deadly animals on the planet are to some extent similar, only because of some criteria these animals are placed in different places of “fame”, this applies to the most dangerous snakes on earth. Other TOPs on various sites adhere to a more precise name as: “the most poisonous snakes in the world” and this is partially visible in our article about the most poisonous animals.
While it is obvious that the strength of snake venom is an important factor in the danger of these animals, there are other equally important things that are also worth considering. Let's look at the most poisonous snake, the inland (desert) taipan (lat. Oxyuranus microlepidotus). In fact, we didn't even mention this snake in our list of the most dangerous animals in Australia. Why? Well, first of all, no one has ever been killed by this snake. She lives in remote areas, is quite timid and doesn't really look for trouble.
On the other hand, the spectacled snake (Indian cobra) has a venom that is more than 30 times less potent than that of the desert taipan and, in addition, it continues to kill thousands of people every year. In our opinion, this makes the cobra a much more dangerous snake than the taipan and that is why you will find it on our list.
And if you think that only living snakes are dangerous, then you are mistaken, some snakes retain reflexes and are able to bite even after their death. This may actually be more dangerous as they lose the ability to regulate the venom they inject, which can result in a more venomous bite. Even the severed head of a snake is capable of this; remember that the snake’s venom is in the head and therefore in this state it can inject almost all the poison.
Video. Severed snake head
10. Viper-shaped death snake (lat. Acanthophis antarcticus)
Photo. Viper-shaped death snake
The very name “deadly snake” allows this snake to be in our TOP. However, the name actually means "deaf snakes", in the old days it was believed that they could not hear. The reason for this misconception was that unlike other snakes, which tend to slither away when a person approaches, the death viper snake does not. This is because they are ambush hunters, preferring to lie in wait and hunt their prey and therefore tend to move less.
Regardless of the origin of the snake's name, it is indeed a very dangerous snake. Its poison is one of the most powerful on earth and contains neurotoxins that can cause respiratory paralysis and subsequent death. Even when armed with such deadly venom, the deadly snake is considered one of the fastest snakes.
The deadly snake is found across much of Australia, where it is considered less dangerous than brown snakes. It is also found in Papua New Guinea and Western Indonesia, where they unfortunately live up to their name and kill a significant number of people every year.
9. Coastal taipan (lat. Oxyuranus scutellatus)
Photo. Coastal taipan
It may seem strange that the most venomous snake on the planet (the inland taipan) is not on this list, while its less venomous cousin, the coastal taipan, is. Although the venom of coastal taipans is the third most powerful among land snakes in terms of bite force, it is phenomenally dangerous to humans. Yes, admittedly one bite from this snake can kill over 200,000 mice, the Inland Taipan could theoretically kill over a million mice. But there are two important factors that make coastal taipans more dangerous: firstly, they live in less remote regions than the rarely seen inland taipans and secondly, coastal taipans have a more aggressive reputation.
When the coastal taipan feels the need to defend itself, it goes into full-scale attack mode. In more than 80% of bite cases, the person is injected with a large dose of venom, often as a result of repeated bites. During each of these quick bites, large amounts of venom can be injected. With the longest fangs of any venomous snake in Australia, taipans can inject a powerful neurotoxin very deeply into the victim's tissues. Another feature of the taipan is the potential pursuit of a person during an attack and during this it is able to maintain a high rate of movement.
Although other snakes may be listed in this TOP as less dangerous, none of them could come close to the taipan's bite speed and incurability. It is only since the discovery of antivenom in 1956 that coastal taipan bites have been effectively treated.
This poison acts very quickly, in some cases victims died within half an hour. It affects the nervous system, leading to complete paralysis, including the lungs (this can lead to death). The poison also prevents blood clotting, which causes internal bleeding, and it also contains a component that breaks down muscle tissue.
If these were the main trump cards of coastal taipans, they would probably top this TOP of the deadliest snakes. However, statistics say otherwise. There are snakes that kill tens of thousands of people every year, however, the taipan kills rarely in Australia and slightly more in Papua New Guinea. The coastal taipan venom serum was produced by Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in the 1950s. Apparently, without her, this list would look completely different.
Photo. American spearhead snake
Spearheads are a genus of snakes (Bothrops) found throughout Central and South America. Together they are responsible for the vast majority of fatal venomous snake bites in the region. These snakes often live in densely populated areas, they are fast and are described as excitable and unpredictable when they encounter a person.
Among this group of snakes, special mention must be made of the quaysack (Bothrops atrox), pit vipers (Bothrops asper) and the common jararaca (Bothrops jararaca). All of these large snakes reach a length of 2 m (6.5 ft) and have a powerful hemotoxic venom.
Unlike the previous two snakes, which have neurotoxic venom, the venom of spearhead snakes is hemotoxic. Obviously, no one in their right mind would want to be bitten by any snake on this list, but if such a choice had to be made, it would be better to go for a snake bite with neurotoxic venom. Hemotoxic poison destroys blood cells, tissues and human organs. As you can imagine this is extremely painful and can cause permanent damage. Bites from such a snake often lead to the necessary amputation of a limb, even after surgical treatment.
The bite of spearhead snakes results in local swelling and pain, often accompanied by blisters and swelling. Common symptoms are usually: internal hemorrhage, bleeding from the gums, eyes, etc. Although this can result in fatal shock, death can also occur as a result of kidney failure.
Photo. The dying leg of a 13-year-old girl after being bitten by a spearhead snake
And as some evidence of the hemotoxic effect of the venom of spear-headed snakes, we present a case that occurred in Venezuela in 2014. A 13-year-old girl in a rural area was bitten on the leg by a suspected Bothrops pirajai, initially she was treated locally for a month (given antibiotics), but when the situation got out of control, she was transported to Caracas. Doctors had no other option but to amputate the leg. The necrosis has led to a condition called rhabdomyolysis, where muscle tissue begins to die throughout the body. Rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney damage, which when combined with low blood pressure can lead to kidney failure and even death if left untreated, said the Venezuelan doctor who operated on the girl.
7. Noisy viper (lat. Bitis arietans)
Photo. Noisy Viper
The noisy viper makes up for its lack of length with its large size. These are strong, robust snakes armed with especially long fangs, which make them formidable hunters. Although they are slow and sluggish, the noise viper is actually famous for having one of the fastest attacks. The noise viper is known to kill rodents thanks to its striking force and large fangs. However, it is also worth noting that it contains enough poison to kill several people.
The name noise viper comes from the warning behavior of these snakes, they puff up, try to look larger and make a frightening hiss. You should heed this warning because the hissing viper is statistically the most dangerous snake in Africa and is responsible for more deaths than any other reptile on the continent.
Much of the hissing viper's dismal record is due to its habit of basking on paths in the early morning and midday sun. This increases the chances of contact with humans and is compounded by the fact that these snakes are reluctant to slink away when footsteps approach. Instead, the hissing viper relies on its effective camouflage to remain undetected. Unfortunately, this tactic can put the snake in a situation where it feels like it needs to defend itself.
If you have been bitten by a hissing viper, you will know this: its cytotoxic venom is one of the most powerful of all vipers and if the bite is not properly treated, in most cases it can lead to death. The bite itself causes severe pain, but these are only some of the initial and very unpleasant symptoms. Swelling and internal bleeding also occur; as is known, the venom of the hissing viper causes tissue necrosis, leading to severe cases of harm to the body, even to the bone marrow. Without effective treatment, complications such as gangrene can occur and often bite victims have to have their limbs amputated.
6. Indian cobra (Naja naja)
Photo. King Cobra
The infamous cobra is our first representative of India's "Big Four", a group of snakes that cause a large number of human casualties in India (and hence the world). Although often described as moderately venomous, somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 bites are made each year. Although actual statistics on deaths due to Indian cobra are not available, an estimate can be made from the mortality rate of snake bites, which ranges from 6.5% to 30%. Regardless of the accuracy of this data, the fact remains that thousands of people die every year because of this snake.
While Indian cobra venom may not quite measure up to some of the heavyweights on this list, it is still underrated. A cobra bite is a cocktail of neurotoxins, cardiotoxins and hemotoxins and can be extremely painful and quickly lead to death. Hemotoxins destroy tissue at the site of the bite, helping the poison spread throughout the body, while neurotoxins cause paralysis. This in turn can lead to respiratory failure, all of which can take only half an hour. Thus, timely treatment with antivenom is very important.
However, cobra venom is also sometimes used as a recreational drug. Yes, in fact, in India there are people who are ready to inject themselves to get a quick buzz. Obviously, these people experience some effects such as: refined sensations, increased energy and a “feeling of happiness.” On the other hand, death can be a side effect.
Photo. Burn wound after a king cobra bite
Sometimes handlers suffer from the fangs of this snake, so on December 7, 2018 in Phuket in Thailand, during an animal exhibition, a king cobra sank its fangs into the left hand of Yutthapong Chaibuddi. The 35-year-old artist managed to unhook the snake from his hand and threw it to the ground. But soon after the poison began to spread throughout his body, he lost consciousness. He stopped breathing and was taken to hospital, where doctors administered an antidote. He was discharged from the hospital after three days, but even after ten days he still had a visible deep burn.
Below is a documentary about two snake charmers who were bitten by cobras. This is an investigative film. One of them managed to survive, but the other did not.
5. Indian krait (lat. Bungarus caeruleus)
Photo.Indian krait
This small snake is our second representative of the Indian Big Four. Also known as the common krait or blue bungarus, it is responsible for approximately 10,000 deaths per year in India alone.
The krait's weapon is its powerful neurotoxic venom. It is one of the five most venomous land snakes, only slightly smaller than coastal taipans. While its small size means it could potentially inject some poison, it still contains enough toxins to kill several people. To ensure that a sufficient dose is injected, the krayt continues to hold on to its victim for some time.
The venom itself contains postsynaptic and presynaptic neurotoxins. They target connections between the brain and nerves, causing muscle paralysis. Although there is an antivenom for krait bites, it may not be effective if not administered immediately after the bite, as presynaptic neurotoxins may block its action. In such cases, the only way to keep the victim alive is to use artificial ventilation until the poisons break down in the body.
If untreated, the mortality rate can be higher than 80%, with death occurring 4-6 hours after the bite.
Krait bites are believed to be virtually painless. Unfortunately, this means that people sometimes don't realize they've been bitten or don't take it seriously. There is also often a significant delay (an hour or two after the bite) in the onset of any symptoms, such as facial paralysis and stomach cramps.
Since kraits are nocturnal hunters, there have been many cases of people being bitten in their sleep. Often these people did not understand what had happened and some died without waking up.
4. Eastern brown snake (lat. Pseudonaja textilis)
Photo. Eastern brown snake
Australia is a country that is well known for its many extremely poisonous creatures. While many of them are quite scary on paper, in fact very few pose a serious threat to humans these days. There are a few exceptions though, including the eastern brown snake (reticulated brown snake).
Many people will tell you that Australia's inland taipans are the most dangerous snakes in the world. It is true that they have the most powerful venom, but it is not as toxic as the venom of the eastern brown snake, and taipans are also not as aggressive. Also, the eastern brown snake is much larger and more common than the inland taipan, and its bad temper makes this snake much more dangerous than the taipan.
Unlike the inland taipan, the brown snake is usually found in populated areas. These snakes primarily feed on small mammals and are found anywhere there are a lot of mice or rats. The main purpose of their poison is to quickly and completely immobilize the victim and kill small mammals, but it is also very effective for humans. Fast and aggressive, eastern brown snakes are responsible for the majority of fatal venomous snake bites in Australia, averaging about two per year. Moreover, in Australia, about 300 people are bitten by snakes every year, but from 2000 to 2016, only 35 people died.
Although these numbers may seem underestimated, this has been the case since the advent of the antidote. Previously, about 80% of those bitten said goodbye to their lives, and this could happen very quickly, within an hour. The only reason the eastern brown snake is not higher on this list is because of its geographic habitat.
Last known case of the reticulated brown snake. At around 10pm on 10 January 2018, a man was bitten by a reticulated brown snake in his backyard in Tamworth, north-west Sydney. The 24-year-old man died in hospital an hour later, despite desperate efforts by medical staff to save him. It was reported that the man heard his pet dog barking and went towards it. He was bitten on the finger while trying to remove the snake from the dog's mouth.
3. Sand epha (lat. Echis carinatus)
Photo. Sandy efa
Another member of the Indian Big Four is the sand epha, which is responsible for countless deaths throughout South Asia. Although it is small in size (usually less than 80 cm in length), this snake packs a punch in numbers. It is one of the most common snakes throughout India and Sri Lanka and poses a serious threat to farm workers.
Not only is this snake widespread, it is very dangerous. The strong poison has an incredibly fast effect on the human body, and in India alone, 5,000 people die from its bites every year. If we extrapolate this indicator to the habitat of this viper, which stretches across the Hindustan Peninsula to the countries of the Middle East and Africa, then this snake is one of the main killers on our planet.
This viper has a close relative, the carpet viper (Echis ocellatus). Also known as the African ephas, this snake is often called the deadliest snake in Africa, possibly killing up to 20,000 people every year.
The bite of the sand epha should definitely be avoided even if you are lucky enough. Rarely given, "dry bites" from a venomous snake usually contain enough venom to kill a person. The venom of this snake contains strong hemotoxins; the bite is considered extremely painful and causes some unpleasant symptoms. Swelling will appear at the site of the bite, which may spread further up the affected limb and blisters will appear. The more serious effects of the poison will appear after a few hours, as general bleeding, with blood coming out of every orifice. This can lead directly to death from blood loss or indirectly through kidney failure.
2. Black Mamba
Photo. Black Mamba
Not only is the black mamba one of the most venomous snakes on the planet, but it is also a large (up to 4 meters / 13 feet), fast (11 km/h / 6.8 mph) and very aggressive snake. When a mamba attacks, it can strike at speed and from a considerable distance. It is also known to deliver multiple bites. Considering all these characteristics, perhaps the black mamba is also the most dangerous snake in the world.
The only reason the black mamba is not higher on our list is because it is not widely distributed in densely populated areas of the developing world. In every single country, this snake has the highest mortality rate among indigenous peoples relative to other snakes. For example, in South Africa, the black mamba is responsible for less than 1% of all snakebites, but still kills the majority of people.
Video. Black Mamba
These statistics are a testament to the potential of the black mamba's venom. With an LD50 (the average dose of poison that causes the death of half of the test group) of about 0.28 mg/kg of poison, you can theoretically kill 10 people. The venom itself is a fast-acting neurotoxin. It is capable of killing a mouse in less than 5 minutes and completely immobilizing a person in 45 minutes; death usually occurs 7-15 hours after the bite.
A black mamba bite can be relatively painless. This happened to a 28-year-old British student in South Africa who was bitten on the finger while courting a snake. While he didn't even realize he had been bitten by a snake, just an hour later he was already dead. There are cases of people surviving a black mamba bite without antivenom, but this appears to be a minority. Without some form of medical treatment after a bite, a person's chances of survival are very slim.
1. Russell's viper (lat. Daboia russelii)
Photo. Chained viper or daboya
At the top of our list of the most dangerous snakes in the world is the Russell's viper (chain viper or daboya). The last of India's Big Four, this snake kills more people than any other animal (except humans and mosquitoes) with a staggering 25,000 deaths a year in India alone. The global figure is even higher when you consider that the Russell's viper is found throughout the Indian subcontinent, and there are several subspecies of this snake.
Like all snakes on this list, the Russell's viper's venom is very potent, although it takes less than most venoms to kill a human. However, an adult snake has enough venom to kill about 20 people. Not only is the bite of this viper often fatal, it is also described as excruciating for the person bitten. Unlike the superfast neurotoxin venom of snakes like the black mamba, Russell's viper venom is hemotoxic, which destroys body tissue.
The bite of these snakes begins with severe pain and swelling at the site of the bite. Within half an hour, the bite victim may bleed from the gums, through urine or when coughing. Soon after the tissue around the bite may blister, necrosis of the surrounding muscles will appear. Within a few hours, swelling and discoloration of the skin will spread to the limbs, and in severe cases to the spine.
Over the next 1-14 days, complications from the destructive effects of the poison on the body's organs often lead to death. Common causes of death are: kidney failure, cerebral hemorrhage, blood poisoning or cardiovascular failure. Although there are effective antivenoms for this venom, they must be administered as soon as possible after the bite to minimize complications and stop the destructive effects of the venom. Even when treated for a snakebite, victims often suffer severe pain for a month, which may subside but may develop long-term problems such as hypopituitarism, which affects hormone production.
Although the venom of the Russell's viper is particularly unpleasant, this does not make it any more dangerous than the venom of many other snakes. What, in our opinion, makes this snake the most deadly snake in the world is its habitat and temperament. Its diet of rodents such as rats and mice forces Russell's vipers into cities and into close contact with people. It is also a notoriously vicious and aggressive snake and is typically described as slow and lethargic, but when confronted by a human it changes its behavior. The hiss of these snakes is louder than any other snake, the vipers coil themselves into a ball and take a characteristic S-shaped pose for attack. And when she attacks with lightning speed, the force exerted even allows her to lift herself completely off the ground.
Given the horrific reports of Russell's vipers attacking humans, it is not at all surprising that it is often listed with other commonly referred to animal kingdom "villains" as the great white shark and saltwater crocodile. The only clarification that you should not be so afraid of it is that most of its victims were bitten in the swamps of rural areas of South Asia.
Is it possible to eat the meat of an animal that has been bitten by a poisonous snake?
This question is quite interesting and therefore we will give just one example.
In early February 2018, more than 50 people in South Africa were taken to several hospitals after they ate meat from a cow that had reportedly died from a snakebite. This snake incident took place in Mpoza village outside Tsolo ( Tsolo) in the Eastern Cape.
Provincial health department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said patients confirmed they had eaten meat from the carcass of an animal that died after being bitten by a snake. He said patients experienced diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps and headaches.
The patients included 16 children, eight of whom were transferred to the pediatric ward of the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, while the rest were treated at Umtata City Hospital. Kupelo said four elderly patients were also transferred to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital for further treatment. Kupelo said the department is urging the public to stop eating meat from dead animals as it is dangerous for them.
We thought this case would be interesting and revealing.
You don't have to be a herpetophobe to know which snakes are dangerous or completely harmless. But if you meet the most poisonous snake in the world and bite, it will cost a person his life. Let's find out which of them are the most dangerous.
Taipan is the most poisonous snake
The most poisonous snake is the taipan, which lives on the Australian continent. The second name of this snake is Cruel. This name is explained by the fact that the concentration of poison in one snake bite will kill a hundred people. The taipan's venom is 10 times more deadly than the rattlesnake and 50 times more deadly than that of the most dangerous cobra.
The taipan reacts with lightning speed to aggression, biting the enemy several times in a row. Anyone bitten by a taipan experiences paralysis of the respiratory muscles and symptoms of blood incoagulability. After a bite, if an antidote is not administered, the person dies within 4 hours.
Taipans are peace-loving and attack only in case of aggression from a person; however, when they bite, they do not spray the entire dose of poison. These snakes do not settle near human habitation, so they are not common. In the 50s of the twentieth century, an antidote to snake venom was developed. If you go to the hospital in a timely manner in case of a bite, you will only get away with fear.
Taipans from the adder family are presented in three types:
- common (coastal, New Guinea, northwestern Australian);
- McCoy (violent or inland);
- temporalis (inland) is a little-known species, having only been discovered in 2007.
Coastal taipans are large (up to 3.5 m in length) snakes of a uniform brownish or reddish hue. McCoy's species is slightly shorter (1.9 m in length). It is the only snake in Australia that changes color depending on the season (darker in winter). It is assumed that the recently discovered species of taipan - temporalis - is more poisonous than its counterparts. Scientists cannot say for sure, since this species is rare.
Taipans are the most dangerous land snakes. And among marine inhabitants, the champion in deadliness is Belcher's snake. Its poison is 10 times more dangerous: the dose of poison from one bite is enough to kill 1,000 people. But she is peaceful and bites only fishermen who get caught in their nets. However, when bitten, not the entire dose is injected into the wound, so some victims survive.
The most dangerous snakes: list
If we compare the potency of snake venom, the list in descending order looks like this:
- Mulga (brown King). Like most dangerous adders, it lives in Australia. Mulga venom is extremely lethal. Even a meeting with an immature individual can be fatal. The snake is aggressive and chases the offender, but in half the cases it does not bite. To avoid danger, when you encounter this reptile, freeze and do not move.
- Blue (or Malayan) krait, native to Southeast Asia. It is most dangerous at night when it hunts. The bite is fatal in 50% of cases when an antidote is administered in a timely manner. The agony lasts 6–12 hours.
- Black mamba from Africa. It is considered the fastest on earth among its relatives: it is capable of covering 20 km in an hour. The snake is unusually accurate and can attack up to a dozen times. The poison from one bite can kill more than ten people. If an antidote is not administered, death occurs within half an hour in 100% of cases.
- Tiger snake from Australia. Her attack always ends with a bite, since the reptile does not miss. As a rule, this is a peaceful snake, but when in danger it always acts decisively. The neurotoxin in the venom initially causes severe pain at the site of the bite, and death occurs from suffocation.
- Philippine cobra. Among its relatives, it is the most deadly. A distinctive feature of all cobras is their beautiful hood, which opens when aggressive. The main danger of this snake is its ability to spit neurotoxic venom at a distance of up to 3 m.
- Viper (lives everywhere). The most dangerous vipers (sand vipers) are found in Central Asia and the Middle East. A distinctive feature of the action of viper venom is extensive tissue necrosis and intoxication of the body. The bites are painful. Without treatment, a person dies within a few days from sepsis, a malfunction of the respiratory or cardiac system.
- Australian spinytail. Snakes hunt their fellows. Externally they look like rattlers. Throw speed when attacking - 0.13 s. If an antidote is not administered, the bitten person dies within 6 hours from asphyxia.
- The rattlesnake is common in the North American region. It got its name because of the rattle located at the tip of its tail. These are dead skin scales that, when the tail bends, touch each other and rattle. A snake attacks a person only when driven into a corner.
These poisonous snakes are dangerous to humans. Snake venom, injected during a bite, is a neuro- and hemotoxin. They inhibit respiratory function (resulting in difficulty breathing, paralysis) and cause coagulation (clotting). After a bite, scars remain on the skin.
An encounter with poisonous snakes can result in death, and even if an antidote is administered in time, this does not always save a life. Basically, these creatures are quite peaceful and attack if they sense danger. Vital advice: if you are in snake territory, be careful and attentive so as not to inadvertently provoke the reptile.
Emotions when viewing these reptiles reach extremes: from awe and admiration for their plasticity to horror and panic. They were destroyed indiscriminately and they were elevated to cult.
Reptiles have lived on the planet for more than 160 million years; out of 3,600 species, only 25% have dangerous poison. But the composition of this toxin makes snakes the deadliest inhabitants of the earth.
Fortunately, the most poisonous and deadly snakes do not attack a person unless he himself takes a provocative step.
The hit parade of poisonous reptiles opens with an individual native to North America with a rattle on its tail, with the sounds of which it notifies of its presence. The creature strikes quickly and from afar; even leather shoes will not protect you from sharp teeth.
The Brazilian variety is especially dangerous - death from its bites occurs in almost 100%.
Small snakes who have not yet reached the age of puberty are not far behind, as they have not learned to dose the amount of poison. Rattlesnakes secrete a hemotoxic substance that is harmful to soft tissues and the body as a whole.
Indicators of damage: difficulty breathing, drooling, hemorrhage and general paralysis. If the wound is not treated in time, it can be fatal.
This species inhabited Australia and New Guinea. With a triangle-shaped head and stocky appearance, it resembles a rattlesnake. About a meter long. The coloring imitates a wasp's belly: alternating black and yellow stripes. The body ends with a thorn-like appendage, which explains the origin of the name.
When he sees a person, he does not retreat, but freezes. This creates a negative situation because it is possible to step on it carelessly, causing an attack.
When making a throw, it injects up to 100 mg of secretion, which paralyzes the respiratory system. Without an antidote, death occurs within a few hours.
Among the numerous family of vipers, widespread everywhere, there is a special killer - the sand epha. It is found in Africa and Asia, India, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and the Arabian Peninsula. It is believed that in the region of its habitat, the reptile killed more people than all the snakes combined. To drive away enemies, it makes a crackling sound with rings of old leather.
This viviparous individual is active at night in summer, and prefers daylight in spring and autumn. Its unusual footprint can be recognized on the ground by its specific manner of crawling sideways.
The creatures pose a threat because they do not disdain people’s houses, but, feeling themselves in a hopeless situation, they attack with lightning speed.
Symptoms: pain in the injured area, decreased blood pressure and heart rate, the condition is aggravated by nausea and vomiting, body aches and nosebleeds. Within two weeks, without taking the antidote, the victim dies from blood poisoning and heart failure. The poison is very harmful to the kidneys, even if the bitten person survives, he suffers from this problem until the end of his days.
Its habitat is the islands of the Philippine archipelago. Up to 3 meters in size. It settles near bodies of water, feeding on small animals and even the offspring of snakes. It frightens and surprises with its inflating hood.
A carrier of a neurotoxic “weapon” that paralyzes the respiratory and cardiac activity of the body. Wastefully injects 250 ml of poison, enough to kill several people.
She not only bites, but is also capable of accurately spitting her deadly composition three meters away.
Warning signs: pain in the abdomen and head, convulsive reflexes, nausea and diarrhea. Timely use of whey can save life.
A reptile from the genus of asps lives in Australia, like many from the list of the most dangerous snakes. It is also found in Tasmania and New Guinea. It is similar in color to a tiger. Avoids people, but there is a risk of disturbing it by confusing it with a stick. The reptile's behavior is unpredictable - taken by surprise, it attacks suddenly and swiftly, without knowing any mistakes.
The venom is a complex of neurotoxin and myotoxin that causes bleeding. It affects small animals in seconds, but an adult will take an hour. Even taking medication does not always help, so deaths are not uncommon.
Main symptoms: pain and numbness at the bite point, profuse sweating. After a short time, the victim suffocates and dies.
Habitat: Africa. It holds the title of the fastest lightning snake on the planet, reaching a speed of 20 km per hour. Angry, he chases the victim, attacking more than once and injecting 400 mg of poison, but death can occur from 10 mg. Can reach five meters in length. It got its name because of its black mouth, which it opens impressively, scaring away enemies.
It often inhabits populated areas, resulting in the death of 20 thousand local residents annually. The lethal combination of neurotoxin and cardiotoxin takes effect within half an hour.
There is a stabbing sensation in the mouth, arms and legs, blurred vision, and confused consciousness. The person gets chills, a convulsive state is accompanied by foam from the mouth and nose. Without an antidote, the indicators intensify: there is a feeling of pain in the abdominal cavity, vomiting and depression of the respiratory system. It is not without reason that tourists traveling in this area are advised to carry an antidote with them.
In terms of habits, this “Australian” is similar to a black mamba. Body length 2-3 meters. The number of people bitten is small, because it prefers arid and uninhabited places, feeding on rodents and frogs. The character is aggressive, but the snake warns of an attack by making false attacks.
When attacking, it raises the front part of the body and rushes, piercing sharp and large fangs 1.5 cm long. The secretion, entering the blood, forms blood clots, clogging arteries and veins.
Rapidly developing shortness of breath ends in hemorrhage and paralysis. The serum must be administered immediately, otherwise a fatal outcome is guaranteed. Moreover, taking the drug does not at all exclude long and intensive treatment.
The species' population has taken root in Southeast Asia and Indonesia. The meter-long reptile is active at night, when it is difficult to see. He even hunts his own brothers. Having noticed a person, he usually hides, but due to the large number of individuals, attempts still occur.
It often crawls into rural areas and into people's homes. Bright coloring helps to notice an uninvited guest in time and avoid an unpleasant meeting. Its venom is 16 times stronger than that of a cobra.
The toxin affects the brain, causing seizures and general paralysis. The worst thing is that the antidote does not always become a panacea and the victim dies within a few hours.
This rather thick three-meter reptile has taken a fancy to the Australian continent. Researchers place the snake at the top of the list of the most dangerous killers. It attacks its own kind without suffering at all from their poison. Having an irritable nature, he swoops in from an ambush unexpectedly and, holding the object, continues to inject a destructive mixture.
If the first attempt fails, the angry Mulga gives chase, repeatedly attacking the enemy. When meeting her, you need to freeze, because she is sensitive to movement.
The bite of a brown king causes paralysis and necrosis of soft tissues. The situation is aggravated by the fact that it is difficult to find an antidote due to the difficulty of identifying the type of snake.
The winner in terms of toxicity is a close relative of the Australian taipan, which is called cruel or ferocious because of its quarrelsome and frantic disposition. A single dose of 400 mg can kill 100 people. The danger of the substance is 10 times greater than the venom of a rattlesnake and 50 times greater than that of a cobra. To our great joy, this creature leads a secretive existence, so no deaths were recorded.
In the waters of Southeast Asia and Northern Australia there is a creature that has surpassed all records of land snakes. Milligrams of its toxic composition will kill 1000 adult men.
It is reassuring that the individual is peaceful and does not hunt people. There are stories about fishermen who caught her in a net along with fish, or about tourists who decided to hold a beautiful snake in their hands, but even then she did not take advantage of her, but made a fictitious bite without using a secret.
The consequences of a poisonous snake attack depend on the area affected, the weight of the person, timely assistance and concomitant diseases. The fact that their toxin is widely used in medicine speaks in favor of reptiles. By taking it away, people are already killing reptiles, because they spend enormous amounts of energy to produce poison.
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