Most people in the world have a fear of snakes. Those with an abnormal fear have a whole fear named for them “Ophidiophobia”. However, the fear seems perfectly rational seeing as how dangerous some of these snakes can be. But a question begs to be asked, Are snakes really that dangerous? The simple answer is that while a majority of the snakes are harmless, we still need to maintain a distance. Bites from venomous or non-venomous snakes can be extremely painful. There are quite a few dangerous snakes in the world and it is always better to know what kind of snake you are dealing with before you decide your next step. So, in order to be better informed we bring to you the top 6 deadliest snakes in the world.
First, let’s get one thing straight—the term “poisonous snakes” is a misnomer, as poison and venom are different things. According to biologists, the term poisonous is applied when an organism releases toxins when they are eaten. The term venomous is applied when organisms bite or sting and inject their toxins through the bite. So, to say that the Black Mamba is one of the “most poisonous snakes in the world” would be incorrect. Instead, it’s one of the “most venomous snakes in the world”.
The second misconception is that while snakes are venomous and not poisonous, not all are venomous snakes.
# Saw-Scaled Viper Although its venom is not very potent, the Saw-Scaled Viper is considered as one of the world’s deadliest snakes as it is believed to be responsible for more human fatalities than all other snakes put together. These snakes have a stout body with a pear-shaped head which is distinct from the neck. Adult Saw-Scaled Vipers range in length from 0.3 to 0.9 metres and they come in shades of brown, grey, or orange with darker dorsal blotches and lateral spots.
Unlike most snakes, the Saw-Scaled Viper moves sideways (sidewinding locomotion). They are nocturnal and feed on mammals, birds, other snakes, lizards, amphibians, scorpions and centipedes. They can be found in arid regions and dry savannahs north of the Equator across Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Middle East.
# King CobraIn India, the King Cobra is not only revered and worshipped but also feared, as they are one of the most venomous snakes of India. In one bite, a King Cobra delivers a tremendous amount of neurotoxins that induces paralysis. They are so fearsome that they find themselves on almost all lists of world’s deadliest snakes. King Cobra is dark olive or brown in colour with black bands and white and yellow crossbands with cream or pale yellow undersides. A King Cobra measures up to 3 to 4 metres in length and has blackheads with two crossbars near the snout and two behind the eyes. Young cobras are shiny black with narrow yellow bands.
Although the King Cobra is shy and avoids confrontation with humans, it is some of the most dangerous snakes in the world when provoked. It is, however, very caring towards its offspring. King Cobra is the only snake that builds a nest for its eggs and guards them till they hatch. A female King Cobra is a very dedicated parent, an unusual trait among snakes. They primarily eat other snakes (including the venomous ones), however, when food is scarce they also eat lizards, birds, and rodents.
# Inland TaipanAlso known as the “fierce snake”, the Inland Taipan is one of the world’s most venomous snakes. A bite from this variety of Taipan often causes paralysis of the victim’s nervous system and clots the blood. The Inland Taipan, one of three types of Taipans (Coastal, Inland and Central Ranges), is dark tan in colour, ranging from a rich, dark hue to a brownish light-green, depending on the season. This variety of Taipan is found to be smaller than the coastal variety and can grow up to 1.7 metres in length.
A solitary creature, these snakes primarily come out during the day. They are most active early in the morning and generally spend their time looking for food and basking in the sun; however, they are also seen out in the afternoons on cooler days. Although the Inland Taipan is an extremely venomous and dangerous snake, they are usually shy and prefer to escape trouble. They will, however, defend themselves and strike if angered, mishandled or stopped from escaping, earning it a place on the list of the deadliest snakes in the world. Inland Taipans only feed on mammals, mostly rodents like the long-haired rat, the plains rat, and the house mouse. Native to Australia, they can be found in the southern part of the country, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.
# Blue KraitAlso known as the Malayan Krait, the Blue Krait is a highly venomous snake of the elapid family. Its venom can paralyze its victim’s muscular system; a truly scary thought that has earned this snake a place on the list of the deadliest snakes in the world. The Blue Krait has a colour pattern of bluish-black crossbands separated by yellowish-white interspaces. They can grow up to lengths of approximately 1.1 metres.
These Kraits are generally not aggressive or strongly defensive and tend to bite only when really provoked. While they primarily feed on other snakes, they also eat lizards, mice, frogs and other small animals. Blue Kraits have been found to be primarily nocturnal while hunting and have shown a preference for fields, holes, and sometimes even homes. They are also found near water sources like rivers, lakes, and ponds. These Kraits are predominantly found in Peninsular Malaysia, central Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Indonesia, Singapore, and Sumatra.
# Black MambaThe Black Mamba is the second-longest venomous snake after the King Cobra. They are known for their large size, quickness, and extremely potent venom, making them one of the deadliest snakes in the world. The inside of this snake’s mouth is black, hence its name – Black Mamba. They have a coffin-shaped head and can vary in colours from olive, yellowish-brown, khaki and gunmetal but they are rarely black. An average Black Mamba is 2–2.5 metres long, with a maximum length of 4.3 metres.
While they have a reputation for being aggressive, Black Mambas are generally found to be shy and nervous. They primarily eat small mammals and birds. While they prefer warm-blooded prey, a black mamba will also feed on other snakes. They can be found in Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
# Tiger SnakeThis highly venomous snake is one of the deadliest snakes in Australia. The Tiger Snake’s venom contains a blood-clotting agent and nerve paralyser, therefore it can also be considered one of the world’s deadliest snakes.
They are highly variable in colour and are often banded like the stripes on a tiger. A Tiger snake can grow to lengths of up to 1 to 1.5 metres. These are solitary snakes and interact only for mating purposes. Tiger Snake is active during the day, however, it is known to also be active during warm nights. Similar to cobras, they are aggressive when startled. Although they usually avoid people, they might attack if disturbed or threatened. While the tiger snake mainly feeds on frogs, it also eats other reptiles, fish, birds, and small mammals. Native to Australia, they are found in Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria.