If you’ve ever been bitten by a snake, you know what it’s like to be afraid of them. Not only do they have fangs that inject deadly venom, but some species are also very aggressive and will attack if threatened.
Thankfully, there are only about 100 species of venomous snakes in Australia and New Zealand combined. But which ones should we be most concerned about? Well, here is my list of the most dangerous snakes in Australasia:
| Takeaways |
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| The article provides information about the most venomous kind of snakes. |
| It may discuss different snake species known for their venomous nature. |
| The content could include details about their venom and potential dangers. |
| The article might offer insights into the habitats and geographic distribution of these snakes. |
| It could provide tips on snake bite prevention and what to do if bitten by a venomous snake. |
| The article may also mention the importance of seeking professional help for snake-related issues. |
| It could be a valuable resource for individuals interested in snake facts and venomous species. |
1. Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
The inland taipan is Australia’s most venomous snake. Its venom is the most potent of any snake in the world, and it can kill an adult human in less than 15 minutes.
The inland taipan has a highly aggressive temperament and will strike repeatedly if provoked or cornered. If you see one on your property, you should contact animal control immediately to have them removed from your area.
The inland taipan grows up to 2 metres long, so it’s not something you want to mess with!
They prefer areas with rocky hillsides and grassy plains for hunting rodents, birds, frogs and lizards for food sources so make sure if you live near these types of areas that there aren’t any snakes lurking around waiting for an opportunity like what happened here today when this guy showed up looking for some lunch but instead got bitten by someone who wasn’t afraid because he had known better all along.
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2. Belcher’s Sea Snake (Hydrophis belcheri)
The Belcher’s sea snake is a species of venomous sea snake found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is one of the world’s most venomous snakes, and its bite can be fatal to humans.
| Belcher’s Sea Snake (Hydrophis belcheri) |
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3. Beaked Sea Snake (Enhydrina schistosa)
The Beaked Sea Snake is a species of sea snake that is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is a highly venomous species, and has caused many human fatalities.
The beaked sea snake can grow to about 1.6 meters (5 feet 3 inches) in length, making it one of the longest snakes on earth.
The body is olive-brown with darker brown blotches along its length. The head has two distinct features: two small eye scales and four enlarged scales that form a “beak” at its tip, which gives rise to its common name.
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4. Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
The Black Mamba is the world’s fastest snake. It can reach speeds of up to 14 miles per hour (22 km/h) in short bursts, and it can maintain these speeds for up to half an hour at a time.
The Black Mamba is one of the most venomous snakes in the world, with enough venom to kill ten people within 30 minutes.
It lives in sub-Saharan Africa and is usually found near water sources like rivers or lakes where they hunt small mammals like rats and mice.
5. Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
The eastern brown snake is a species of venomous snake found in Australia.
Although native to Australia, they have been introduced into New Guinea and Indonesia through human action.
They are highly variable in size, ranging from 60 cm to over 120 cm (2–4 feet), with large specimens known as “giant browns”, which may reach 150 cm (5 feet).
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6. Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus)
The Coastal Taipan is Australia’s most venomous snake, and also known as the fierce snake. It gets its name from its loud hiss and aggressive nature when threatened.
The Coastal Taipan is a large and highly venomous snake that can grow up to 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches) long and weigh around 2 kilograms (4 pounds). It lives throughout eastern Australia in coastal regions, grasslands, forests and woodlands.
The Coastal Taipan has been responsible for several deaths in Australia over the past few decades due to its strong neurotoxic venom which affects nerve function.[1]
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7. Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)
The Tiger snake is a large and aggressive snake that can grow up to six feet long. The Tiger snake has a broad, triangular head with small eyes and a thick body.
The colour of the Tiger snake varies from light brown to black with spots or stripes on its back.
The Tiger snake can be found in Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. It usually lives near water sources such as rivers or dams where fish are available for food for this reptile.
Although it is not venomous, it has very dangerous fangs that inject their victim with poison when they bite into something that irritates them such as an attack on an intruder or when picked up by accident by humans who do not know what they are dealing with!
This type of snake causes death because of its bite which contains neurotoxins that quickly paralyse muscles throughout your body causing breathing difficulties which leads eventually lead to suffocation if left untreated immediately after being bitten by one of these critters – so make sure you keep away from them at all costs!
8 Jungle Carpet Python (Morelia spilota spilota)
The Jungle Carpet Python is a snake that lives in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. It’s mainly found in rainforests or wet savannahs with plenty of vegetation. The snake has a beautiful pattern on its body, which makes it easy to identify when you see one in the wild.
The average length of this species is about 2 meters (7 feet). They can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) long with some females being even longer than this! Their size makes them a serious threat if they bite you so make sure you don’t get too close when you see one.
Jungle Carpet Pythons are very agile hunters and will try to catch any kind of prey they can find: frogs, lizards, birds… even other snakes! They’re also known for eating crocodiles and monitor lizards when they’re hungry enough.
That’s why they should be considered dangerous if they decide to attack something bigger than themselves like humans or dogs because the larger animal could be injured by their venomous fangs too!
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9. Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus)
So, what makes a snake venomous? The answer is pretty simple: they have fangs to inject their poison into prey.
These can be small or large, depending on the species. The most venomous snakes are usually longer than 2 feet (60 cm) and have long fangs that can inject large amounts of venom into their prey.
The Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) is one such animal; it’s native to Australia and part of the elapidae family. It has short fangs that can deliver enough toxins to kill its prey in just one bite!
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10. Speckled Sea Snake (Aipysurus laevis )
Found in warm coastal waters of Australia, the speckled sea snake is a highly venomous animal that’s known to be one of the most venomous sea snakes in the world.
It can grow up to 1.5 meters long and has a neurotoxic venom that causes paralysis and respiratory failure in humans if they’re bitten by it.
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Conclusion
It’s important to know about these snakes, because they are dangerous. Of course, not all snakes are dangerous and there are many that you can have as pets.
If you like snakes then take a look at our article on how to care for them properly. It will give you some great tips on how keep your snake happy and healthy!
Further Reading
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes: Explore a comprehensive list of some of the deadliest snakes in the world and learn about their characteristics and habitats.
The Top 10 Most Venomous Snakes in the World: Discover the top ten most venomous snakes on the planet, including detailed information about their venom and the potential dangers they pose.
Deadliest Snakes: Their Venom is Not the Only Danger: Dive into the world of the deadliest snakes and uncover intriguing facts about their behaviors, habitats, and the risks they pose to humans and other animals.
Now, here’s the FAQs section in Markdown format:
FAQs
What are the characteristics of venomous snakes?
Venomous snakes possess specialized glands that produce and inject venom into their prey or potential threats through specialized teeth or fangs.
How does snake venom affect humans?
Snake venom can have various effects on humans, ranging from local tissue damage and pain to systemic effects, such as organ failure or neurotoxic symptoms, depending on the snake species and the components of its venom.
How can you identify venomous snakes?
Identifying venomous snakes can be challenging, but some general features to look for include venomous snakes having a triangular-shaped head, vertical pupils, and specialized fangs.
What should I do if I encounter a venomous snake?
If you encounter a venomous snake, it’s best to remain calm, maintain a safe distance, and avoid any sudden movements. Contact local wildlife authorities or professionals for assistance in safely removing the snake if necessary.
Can anti-venom treat snake bites?
Yes, anti-venom is the specific treatment for snake bites caused by venomous snakes. Administering anti-venom as soon as possible is crucial to neutralize the venom’s effects and prevent severe complications. Seek medical help immediately if you are bitten by a venomous snake.
I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.