Top 10 Most Venomous Snakes in the World

If you are a long time reader of Listverse you will remember that we have previously had two lists on snakes: 10 lesser known venomous snakes and10 unusual and amazing snakes. Surprisingly, we have not published a list of the most venomous snakes – and so, today, we fill that void with the following list. This is probably also a good time to point out (which we have done on a previous list) that something is venomous when it injects you with venom, and something is poisonous when it harms you through touch or eating.

10

Rattlesnake

The only snake from the Americas on the list, the Rattlesnake is easily identifiable by the tell tale rattle on the end of its tail. They are actually a part of the Pit Viper family, and are capable of striking at up to 2/3rd their body length. The Eastern Diamondback in considered the most venomous species in North America. Surprisingly, juveniles are considered more dangerous than adults, due to their inability to control the amount of venom injected. Most species of rattlesnakes have hemotoxic venom, destroying tissue, degenerating organs and causing coagulopathy (disrupted blood clotting). Some degree of permanent scarring is very likely in the event of a venomous bite, even with prompt, effective treatment, and can lead to the loss of a limb or death. Difficulty breathing, paralysis, drooling and massive hemorrhaging are also common symptoms. Thus, a rattlesnake bite is always a potentially fatal injury. Untreated rattlesnake bites, especially from larger species, are very often fatal. However, antivenin, when applied in time, reduces the death rate to less than 4%

9

Death Adder

The appropriately named Death Adder is found in Australia and New Guinea. They actually hunt and kill other snakes, including some on this list, usually via ambush. Death Adders look quite similar to vipers, in that they have triangular shaped heads and short, squat bodies. They typically inject around 40-100mg of venom with an LD of 0.4mg-0.5mg/kg. An untreated Death Adder bite is one of the most dangerous in the world. The venom is a neurotoxin. A bite causes paralysis and can cause death within 6 hours, due to respiratory failure. Symptoms generally peak within 24-48 hours. Antivenin is very successful in treating a bite from a Death Adder, particularly due to the relatively slow progression of symptoms, but before its development, a Death Adder bite had a fatality rate of 50%. With the quickest strike in the world, a Death Adder can go from strike position to striking and back again within 0.13 of a second.

8

Vipers

Vipers are found throughout most of the world, but arguably the most venomous is the Saw Scaled Viper and the Chain Viper, found primarily in the Middle East and Central Asia, particularly India, China and South East Asia. Vipers are quick tempered and generally nocturnal, often active after rains. They are also very fast. Most of these species have venom that cause symptoms that begin with pain at the site of the bite, immediately followed by swelling of the affected extremity. Bleeding is a common symptom, especially from the gums. There is a drop in blood pressure and the heart rate falls. Blistering occurs at the site of the bite, developing along the affected limb in severe cases. Necrosis is usually superficial and limited to the muscles near the bite, but may be severe in extreme cases. Vomiting and facial swelling occurs in about one-third of all cases. Severe pain may last for 2-4 weeks. Often, local swelling peaks within 48-72 hours, involving the affected limb. Discoloration may occur throughout the swollen area as red blood cells and plasma leak into muscle tissue. Death from septicaemia, respiratory or cardiac failure may occur 1 to 14 days post-bite, or even later.

7

Philippine Cobra

Most species of Cobra would not make this list; however the Philippine Cobra is the exception. Drop for drop, its venom is the most deadly of all the Cobra species, and they are capable of spitting it up to 3 metres. The venom is a neurotoxin which affects cardiac and respiratory function, and can cause neurotoxicity, respiratory paralysis and death in thirty minutes. The bite causes only minimal tissue damage. The neurotoxins interrupt the transmission of nerve signals by binding to the neuro-muscular junctions near the muscles. The symptoms might include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, collapse and convulsions.

6

Tiger Snake

Found in Australia, the Tiger snake has a very potent neurotoxic venom. Death from a bite can occur within 30 minutes, but usually takes 6-24 hours. Prior to the development of antivenin, the fatality rate from Tiger snakes was 60-70%. Symptoms can include localized pain in the foot and neck region, tingling, numbness and sweating, followed by a fairly rapid onset of breathing difficulties and paralysis. The Tiger snake will generally flee if encountered, but can become aggressive when cornered. It strikes with unerring accuracy.

5

Black Mamba

The feared Black Mamba is found throughout many parts of the African continent. They are known to be highly aggressive, and strike with deadly precision. They are also the fastest land snake in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 20km/h. These fearsome snakes can strike up to 12 times in a row. A single bite is capable of killing anywhere from 10-25 adults. The venom is a fast acting neurotoxin. Its bite delivers about 100–120 mg of venom, on average; however, it can deliver up to 400 mg. If the venom reaches a vein, 0.25 mg/kg is sufficient to kill a human in 50% of cases. The initial symptom of the bite is local pain in the bite area, although not as severe as snakes with hemotoxins. The victim then experiences a tingling sensation in the mouth and extremities, double vision, tunnel vision, severe confusion, fever, excessive salivation (including foaming of the mouth and nose) and pronounced ataxia (lack of muscle control). If the victim does not receive medical attention, symptoms rapidly progress to severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, pallor, shock, nephrotoxicity, cardio toxicity and paralysis. Eventually, the victim experiences convulsions, respiratory arrest, coma and then death. Without antivenin, the mortality rate is nearly 100%, among the highest of all venomous snakes. Depending on the nature of the bite, death can result at any time between 15 minutes and 3 hours.

4

Taipan

Another entry from Australia, the venom in a Taipan is strong enough to kill up to 12,000 guinea pigs. The venom clots the victim’s blood, blocking arteries or veins. It is also highly neurotoxic. Before the advent of an antivenin, there are no known survivors of a Taipan bite, and death typically occurs within an hour. Even with successful administration of antivenin, most victims will have an extensive stay in intensive care. It has been likened to the African Black Mamba in morphology, ecology and behavior.

3

Blue Krait

The Malayan or Blue Krait is, by far, the most deadly of this species. Found throughout South East Asia and Indonesia, 50% of bites from the deadly Blue Krait are fatal, even with the administration of antivenin. Kraits hunt and kill other snakes, even cannibalizing other Kraits. They are a nocturnal breed, and are more aggressive under the cover of darkness. However, overall they are quite timid and will often attempt to hide rather than fight. The venom is a neurotoxin, 16 times more potent than that of a Cobra. It quickly induces muscle paralysis by preventing the ability of nerve endings to properly release the chemical that sends the message to the next nerve. This is followed by a period of massive over excitation (cramps, tremors, spasms), which finally tails off to paralysis. Fortunately, bites from Kraits are rare due to their nocturnal nature. Before the development of antivenin, the fatality rate was a whopping 85%. Even if antivenin is administered in time, you are far from assured survival. Death usually occurs within 6-12 hours of a Krait bite. Even if patients make it to a hospital, permanent coma and even brain death from hypoxia may occur, given potentially long transport times to get medical care.

2

Eastern Brown Snake

Don’t let the innocuous name of this snake fool you, 1/14,000 of an ounce of its venom is enough to kill an adult human. Coming in a variety of species, the Eastern Brown snake is the most venomous. Unfortunately, its preferred habitat is also along the major population centers of Australia. The Brown snake is fast moving, can be aggressive under certain circumstances and has been known to chase aggressors and repeatedly strike at them. Even juveniles can kill a human. The venom contains both neurotoxins and blood coagulants. Fortunately for humans, less than half of bites contain venom and they prefer not to bite if at all possible. They react only to movement, so stand very still if you ever encounter one in the wild. [Image Source]

1

Fierce Snake or Inland Taipan

While I did say that I would not include multiple sub-species in this list, the incredible Inland Taipan deserves a spot of its own. It has the most toxic venom of any land snake in the world. The maximum yield recorded for one bite is 110mg, enough to kill about 100 humans, or 250,000 mice! With an LD/50 of 0.03mg/kg, it is 10 times as venomous as the Mojave Rattlesnake, and 50 times more than the common Cobra. Fortunately, the Inland Taipan is not particularly aggressive and is rarely encountered by humans in the wild. No fatalities have ever been recorded, though it could potentially kill an adult human within 45 minutes.

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Belcher’s Sea Snake

The most venomous snake known in the world, a few milligrams is strong enough to kill 1000 people! Less than 1/4 of bites will contain venom, and they are relatively docile. Fisherman are usually the victims of these bites, as they encounter the species when they pull nets from the ocean. Found throughout waters off South East Asia and Northern Australia.

SOURCE: http://listverse.com/2011/03/30/top-10-most-venomous-snakes/

While many people love snakes and even keep them as pets, others are flat-out terrified of them. Fear of snakes is so ubiquitous that snakes are traditionally used to symbolize evil in mythology, literature, and film.

Of course, snakes are not evil, and many of them are quite docile, even friendly. But a number of species can be quite dangerous if you cross them in nature, especially if they feel threatened. Even snakes that are generally friendly can kill you with their venom if you take them by surprise. Here are 10 of the most dangerous snakes on the planet.

1. Belcher’s Sea Snake

Belcher’s Sea Snake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These slender, striped snakes may be familiar to you, perhaps even from personal experience. Sea snakes are typically pretty passive and won’t harm you unless they feel threatened. A threatened sea snake may bite you, releasing its venom. Only about a quarter of sea snake bites contain venom, but the sea snake is the most venomous snake on the planet. A few milligrams of Belcher’s Sea Snake venom is enough to kill a thousand people, making the sea snake the most dangerous snake in the world in terms of venomousness—even though it is typically harmless.

2. Rattlesnake

Rattlesnake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The rattlesnake is one of the most recognizable snakes in the Americas. It’s hard to miss the rattle at the end of the tail which gives this snake its name. The rattlesnake is actually a type of viper, and is quite venomous. The most dangerous snakes in this species are the young Eastern Diamondbacks. When treated promptly, fewer than 4% of rattlesnake bites are fatal, but when left untreated, all bites are potentially lethal. Rattlesnake venom can damage organs and prevent blood from clotting, leading to paralysis, breathing problems and massive bleeding. Losing a limb is not uncommon.

3. Death Adder

Death Adder (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Everyone knows the story about how Cleopatra killed herself with the aid of an adder. This type of adder is found in Australia and New Guinea and looks a lot like a viper. Death adders are so dangerous that they hunt down other snakes, hiding in wait before leaping out and attacking their prey. Venom from a death adder will cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death within just six hours. Around half of all untreated patients will die from Death Adder bites. With prompt treatment however, death is unlikely.

4. Inland Taipan

Inland Taipan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The venom from a single bite of an Inland Taipan can kill as many as 100 people. That may seem like nothing compared to the Belcher’s Sea Snake, but it’s still pretty impressive! While the rattlesnake is the most dangerous snake in the Americas, this snake is ten times more venomous. It is fairly passive however and keeps to itself; encounters with the Inland Taipan are relatively rare.

5. Eastern Brown Snake

Eastern Brown Snake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Eastern Brown Snake is not only very venomous, but also very aggressive, which makes it one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. This snake is native to Australia, and will often make its home in populous locations. Furthermore, it will actually chase down a person it perceives as a threat. It prefers not to bite, but will do so repeatedly if it decides to attack. Less than half of the bites are poisonous, but they do contain neurotoxins which cause paralysis and can be lethal.

6. Blue Krait

Blue Krait (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This species, native to South East Asia and Indonesia, has venom 16 times stronger than a cobra’s. Unfortunately, antivenin is not as effective against Blue Krait bites as it is against other types of snake bites. This makes it one of the most dangerous snakes, but fortunately the Blue Krait is nocturnal, so if you don’t roam around at night in the underbrush, you will probably avoid a Blue Krait encounter.

7. Black Mamba

Black Mamba (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Black Mamba is native to Africa. While it may not be the most venomous snake in the world (one bite may only deliver enough venom to kill 10 people), it is still arguably the most dangerous snake in the world for other reasons. It is the fastest snake on earth, able to travel as fast as 20 km/h. A Black Mamba may strike its target a dozen times in a row. Without prompt treatment, a Black Mamba bite is almost always fatal.

8. Tiger Snake

Tiger Snake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Tiger Snake is yet another dangerous snake native to Australia. This wide, yellow-banded snake is feared for the accuracy of its strikes. Without treatment, the fatality rate is generally around 70%. Like most other snake venoms, Tiger Snake venom causes paralysis, which may lead to respiratory failure and death.

9. Philippine Cobra

Philippine Cobra (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cobras are highly recognizable because of their wide neck collars, but most species of cobra aren’t among the most dangerous snakes in the world. The most deadly cobra is the Philippine Cobra. It can spit its venom as far as 3 meters to reach its target. A bite from the Philippine Cobra can lead to death from paralysis within a half hour.

10. Saw Scaled Viper

Saw scaled viper (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is one of the most dangerous vipers, along with the Chain Viper. This type of viper can be found in the Middle East and Far East, and is usually most active during nighttime following rain storms. Vipers are very fast, but their venom is relatively slow-acting. With antivenin, death is rare, but if you do not receive medical assistance, you can die a slow painful death over the course of 2 to 4 weeks.

As you can see, there are a number of different factors which can make any given snake deadly: the toxicity of its venom, the speed of attack, the aggression, and the likelihood that you would encounter that snake at all. The good news is that most snakes will only target you if they believe that you are a threat to their lives or to their young, and most bites can be treated effectively with antivenin, but you need to be fast.

SOURCE: http://www.curiosityaroused.com/nature/10-most-dangerous-snakes-in-the-world/

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