Taipan Snake

" Inland Taipan is not world's most toxic snake else rightly saying it is terrestrial world's most toxic land snake on earth. Snake which is far more poisonous than Taipan or any other land snake is Hydrophis Belcheri. Hydrophis Belcheri is a sea snake and comes in limited contacts with humans (exceptions are Fishermen, Sea Divers, etc). Other names of this sea snake is ' Faint Banded Sea Snake ' also called as ' Belcher's Sea Snake '. This sea snake is not ranked nor included in my top tens due to its non-terrestrial nature and limited human encounters. Anyhow I'm still collecting more information on this snake from my local library and would soon publish a separate article on it with more details, pics and vids. "

Snake's Description: Generally Taipans are uniformly olive or dark brown, the head is somewhat darker brown.

Snake's Toxic Rank 1: Taipan is the world's No.1, the most toxic snake of all. An extremely deadliest terrestrial snake on earth. If bitten by mistake sure death within few minutes. Maximum survival time recorded after Taipan's bite is not more than one hour. Taipan's bite has rarest chance of survival. Taipan has four major sub-species like Western or Inland Taipan ( Oxyuranus Microlepidotus ) or ( Fierce Snake ) , Papuan Taipan ( Oxyuranus s. canni ) , Common or Coastal Taipan ( Oxyuranus Scutellatus ) and Central Ranges Taipan ( Oxyuranus Temporalis ) . Inland Taipan or Fierce snake is much more toxic than others including Oxyuranus Scutellatus and Oxyuranus S. Canni. Maximum yield recorded (from a single bite of Inland Taipan) is 110mg. Just few mg of Inland Taipan's venom is enough to kill over 100 people or 250,000 mice. Australia's Western or Inland Taipan or Fierce Snake is the world's most toxic, venomous terrestrial land Snake. ( Ranked No.1 )

Snake's Characteristics: Considered as the most deadliest and poisonous snakes of all. Many people believe that Taipans are very aggressive but the fact is that they are docile creatures. Yes they has an aggressive disposition only when mishandled or disturbed without warning. When aroused, Taipan can display a fearsome appearance by flattening its head, raising it off the ground, waving it back and forth, and suddenly striking with such speed that the victim may receive several bites before it retreats. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin, causing respiratory paralysis. Its victim has very little chance for recovery without prompt medical aid.

Snake's Habitat: At home in a variety of habitats, Inland Taipan is found from the savanna grasslands to the inland dry plains of Australia. Where as Taipan - Oxyuranus Scutellatus are often seen in forests and open woodlands. Very less or no information regarding newly discovered Central Ranges Taipan ( Oxyuranus temporalis ).

Snake's Length:: Average Taipan's length is 1.8 meters and maximum of 3.7 meters.

Snake's Distribution: Taipans ( Oxyuranus Scutellatus) are found in Northern Australia and Southern New Guinea. Whereas Inland Taipan ( world's most toxic snake ) is found in Central Australia. Papuan Taipan ( Oxyuranus S. Canni ) are found in New Guinea.

Krait ( Bungarus Caeruleus )

Snake's Description: Krait is Black or bluish-black in colour with white narrow crossbands and a narrow head.

Snake's Toxic Rank 2: Krait is the world's No.2 venomous snake. Highly poisonous snake after Taipan ( Oxyuranus Scutellatus ).

Snake's Characteristics: Kraits are found only in Asia. This poisonous snake is of special concern to man. It is 15 times more deadly than any common cobra. It is active at night and relatively passive during the day. The native people often step on kraits while walking through their

habitats. The krait has a tendency to seek shelter in sleeping bags, boots and tents. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin that causes respiratory failure. Indian Krait is India's most venomous snake.

Snake's Habitat: Kraits habitat include open fields, human settlements and dense jungle.

Snake's Length: Krait's average length is about 90 centimeters and maximum of 1.5 meters.

Snake's Distribution: Kraits are found in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Philippine Cobra ( Naja Naja Philippinensis )

Snake's Description: Philippine Cobra is a relatively small stocky brown snake.

Snake's Toxic Rank 3: Philippine Cobra is the world's No.3 venomous snake. Extremely poisonous snake after Krait. Please don't go on it's small size it is extremely deadliest snake from Philippine.

Snake's Characteristics: Philippine Cobras are recognized by the hoods that they flare when angry or disturbed; the hoods are created by the extension of the ribs behind the cobras' heads. Philippine Cobras are famous for their use by oriental snake charmers because they respond well to visual cues. Philippine Cobra is Philippines most poisonous snake.

Snake's Habitat: Philippine Cobra's habitat also include open fields, human settlements and dense jungle.

Snake's Length: Philippine Cobra's average length is usually up to 100 centimeters.

Snake's Distribution: As it name says Philippine Cobras are found in Philippine Islands.

King Cobra ( Ophiophagus Hannah )

Snake's Description: King Cobra is uniformly olive, brown or green in colour with rings like cross bands of black.

Snakes Toxic Rank 4: Famous Giant King cobra is the world's No.4 venomous snake. Extremely venomous after Philippine cobra.

Snake's Characteristics: Although King Cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world and it has a disposition to go with this honor, it causes relatively few bites on humans. It appears to have a degree of intelligence. It avoids attacking another venomous snake for fear of being bitten. It feeds exclusively on harmless species of other snakes. Hence called 'Ophiophagus' which means 'a snake eater'. The female King Cobra builds a nest then deposits her eggs. Lying close by, she guards the nest and is highly aggressive toward anything that closely approaches the nest. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin. Without prompt medical aid, death is certain for its victims.

Snakes' Habitat: King Cobra's habitat includes dense jungle and cultivated fields.

Snake's Length: King Cobra's average length is 3.5 meters and maximum of 5.5 meters.

Snake's Distribution: King Cobras are found in Thailand, Southern China, Malaysia Peninsula, Southern India and Philippines.

Russell's Viper ( Vipera Russellii )

Snake's Description: Russell Viper has a light brown body with three rows of dark brown or black splotches bordered with white or yellow extending its entire length.

Snake's Toxic Rank 5: Russell's viper is the world's No.5 Venomous snake. Its too a highly venomous snake.

Snake's Characteristics: Russell Viper is a dangerous species abundant over its entire range. It is responsible for more human fatalities than any other venomous snake. It is irritable. When threatened, it coils tightly, hisses and strikes with such speed that its victim has little chance of escaping. Its hemotoxic venom is a powerful coagulant, damaging tissue and blood cells.

Snake's Habitat: Russell Viper's habitat varies from farmlands to dense rain forests. It is commonly found around human settlements.

Snake's Length: Russell Viper's average length is 1 meter and maximum of 1.5 meters.

Snake's Distribution: Russell Vipers are found in Sri Lanka, Southern China, India, Malaysian Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and surrounding islands.

Black Mamba ( Dendroaspis Polylepis )

Snake's Description: The Black Mamba, largest of the species, is uniformly olive to black. It mouth has a black internal lining. Thus named Black Mamba. There is also another specie of Mamba called Green Mamba.

Snake's Toxic Rank 6: Africa's most feared poisonous snake Black Mamba is the world's No.6 venomous snake. Black Mamba is highly toxic and notoriously aggressive.

Snake's Characteristics: Black Mamba's nickname is the "bottom up snake"; the victim supposedly has time for one quick drink before death. As said earlier, it is the dreaded snake species of Africa. Treat it with great respect and always stay away from it. Mamba is not only highly venomous but also aggressive and its victim has very little chance to escape from a bite. Its venom is highly neurotoxic. Hence Black Mamba's bite is always 100% fatal if anti-venom is not administered quickly. Despite the name this snake is actually brownish-gray. When threatened, it opens its mouth wide and gives the victims a good view of the black internal lining of its mouth. Black Mamba is the fastest land snake in the world, reaching top speeds of 16-19 km/hr in short bursts.

Snake's Habitat: Black Mamba's habitat also varies from farmlands to dense rain forests. It is also commonly found around human settlements.

Snake's Length: Black Mambas can grow up to 4.3 meters in length.

Snake's Distribution: Black Mambas are found in African savannas and open woodlands.

Yellow-Jawed Tommygoff ( Bothrops Asper )

Snake's Description: Yellow-Jawed Tommygoffs are locally referred to as 'Fer-de-lance', has variable coloration, from gray to olive, brown or reddish, with dark triangles edged with light scales. Triangles are narrow at the top and wide at the bottom.

Snakes Toxic Rank 7: Yellow-jawed Tommygoff is the world's No.7 venomous snake.

Snake's Characteristics: Yellow-Jawed Tommygoff has an irritable disposition and may strike with little provocation. Heat-seeking fangs help it strike accurately even in the dark. This highly poisonous snake is responsible for a high mortality rate. The female fer-de-lance is highly prolific, producing up to 60 new born. The venom of this species is hemotoxic, extremely painful and hemorrhagic (causes profuse internal bleeding). Its venom also causes massive tissue destruction.

Snake's Habitat: Fer-de-lance are found on cultivated land and farms, they often enter houses in search of rodents.

Snake's Length: Average length of Fer-de-Lance is about 1.4 meters and maximum of 2.4 meters.

Snake's Distribution: Yellow-Jawed Tommygoffs or Fer-de-lance are found Southern Mexico, throughout Central and South America.