Top 10 Deadliest Snakes in the World
Throughout
the world, it is estimated there are a minimum of 1 to 2 million annual
snakebite “incidences”. This number includes bites by non-venomous
species. Of that number, roughly 50,000 to 100,000 bites result in
fatalities worldwide. People often create lists based on the toxicity of
snake venoms but generally do not to take into account other factors
like clinical ability to treat, or inability to treat. Many of the
world’s most venomous snakes have venoms that are very straightforward
and ‘easy’ to treat effectively with the proper anti venoms. However,
other species that might fall far below the so-called ‘Top 10′ cause a
clinical explosion of problems for which anti venoms are not very
effective. There are still other people who derive their deadly snake
lists from deaths in the countries they live in, study in, or that they
are just fond of. All these points of view make for tremendous confusion
in Top 10 lists. We feel it is far more interesting and important to
list the most dangerous and deadly snakes in the world by taking into
the criteria the amount and potency of snake’s venom, caused fatalities,
personality and aggressiveness into account.
1. Black Mamba – (Dendroaspis polylepis)
The Black Mamba is found throughout most
countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and is incredibly fast, traveling at
speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. It’s also large; the second largest
snake in Africa, averaging 8.2′ (2.5m) and getting as long as 14′
(4.5m). The Black Mamba is aggressive and territorial, characteristics
not usually attributed to snakes. This snake is usually found in an
olive green color – it’s the inside of its mouth that is black!
African villagers and experts alike fear the intense pain and
suffering the mamba inflicts on its victims. Its poison is neuro-toxic.
Unlike most poisonous snakes where the venom travels slowly through the
blood stream, allowing a victim time to get treatment and to isolate
the poison using a tourniquet, the black mamba’s poison goes straight
for the nerves, attacking the central nervous system and shutting down
major organs. Twenty minutes after being bitten you may lose the
ability to talk. After one hour you’re probably comatose, and by six
hours, without an antidote, you are dead.
When feeling very threatened, the Black Mamba usually delivers
multiple strikes, injecting its potent neuro- and cardiotoxin with each
strike, often attacking the body or head, unlike most other snakes. It
can strike up to 12 times in a row. A single bite from a Black Mamba
can inject enough venom to kill up to 10-25 grown men, easily killing
one unless the appropriate anti-venom is administered in time. When
cornered, it will readily attack. When in the striking position, the
mamba flattens its neck, hisses very loudly and displays its inky black
mouth and fangs. It can rear up around one-third of its body from the
ground, which allows it to reach heights of approximately four feet.
In the past, the mortality rate for a Black Mamba bite was nearly
100%, the highest among venomous snakes. Now, because of the development
of effective antivenin in Africa, the rate has been decreased to 75%
(25% of bite victims now receive antivenin in time to be effective).
Depending on the nature of a bite, death can result in as little as 30
minutes or it may take up to 120-180 minutes.
(From 10)
Venom: 9
Fatalities: 9
Personality: 8
Aggressiveness: 8
Total: 34
2. Russel Viper
D. russelii, which is found in Asia
throughout the Indian subcontinent, much of Southeast Asia, southern
China and Taiwan. Due largest to its irritable nature, it is responsible
for more human fatalities than any other venomous snake. Within much of
its range, this species is easily the most dangerous viperid snake and a
major cause of snakebite injury and mortality. It is a member of the
big four venomous snakes in India, which are together responsible for
nearly all Indian snakebite fatalities.
This snake grows to a maximum length of 166 cm (5.5 ft). The average
length is about 120 cm (4 ft) on the mainland, although island
populations do not attain this size.
The amount of venom produced by individual specimens is considerable.
Reported venom yields for adult specimens range from 130–250 mg to
150–250 mg to 21–268 mg. For 13 juveniles with an average length of 79
cm, the average venom yield was 8–79 mg (mean 45 mg). For most humans a
lethal dose is 40–70 mg.
Envenomation symptoms 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, and sputum may show signs of
blood within 20 minutes post-bite. 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. Locally, it may persist depending
on the level of tissue damage. Often, local swelling peaks within 48–72
hours, involving both the affected limb and the trunk. If swelling up
to the trunk occurs within 1–2 hours, massive envenomation is likely.
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.
(From 10)
Venom: 7
Fatalities: 10
Personality: 8
Aggressiveness: 8
Total: 33
3. Egyptian Cobra – (Naja haje)
The Egyptian Cobra is the most common cobra
in Africa and is responsible for many deaths there. It typically makes
its home in dry to moist savanna and semi-desert regions, with at least
some water and vegetation (never in desert regions). The Egyptian Cobra
may also be found in oases, agricultural grounds, hills with sparse
vegetation, and grasslands. They frequent human habitat areas and often
enter villages and houses, searching for prey such as rats and chickens,
which feed on human garbage.
The average adult cobra is 5′ to 6.75′ (1.5-2m) in length, and some
have grown to 8′. This snake preys on small mammals, lizards, toads, and
other snakes, including other venomous snakes, such as the puff adder.
The average venom quantity typically reaches 175 to 200 mg in a
single bite. It has the third most toxic venom of any cobra, after the
Philippine Cobra (Naja philippinensis) and the Cape Cobra. However, the
Egyptian cobra is considered to be much deadlier than the Northern
Philippine Cobra or Cape cobra because it is much larger, more
aggressive, and can inject more venom in a single bite. It has
neurotoxic venom which affects the nervous system, stopping the nerve
signals from being transmitted to the muscles and at later stages
stopping those transmitted to the heart and lungs as well, causing death
due to complete respiratory failure.
(From 10)
Venom: 6
Fatalities: 8
Personality: 10
Aggressiveness: 7
Total: 31
4.The Mozambique Spitting Cobra
(Naja mossambica) is a type of cobra,
native to Africa. In color the snake is slate to olive grey, olive or
tawny brown above, with some or all scales black-edging. Below, salmon
pink to purple yellowish, with black bars across the neck and ventrals
speckled or edged with brown or black; young specimens sometimes have
pink or yellow bars on the throat.
It is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa, second
only to the Mamba. Like the Rinkhals, it can spit its venom. Its bite
causes severe local tissue destruction (similar to that of the puff
adder). Venom to the eyes can also cause impaired vision or blindness.
This snake is a nervous and highly strung snake. When confronted at
close quarters this snake can rear up to as much as two-thirds of its
length, spread its long narrow hood and will readily “spit” in defense,
usually from a reared-up position. By doing this the venom can be
ejected at a distance of 2-3 meters (5½ – 8¼ feet), with remarkable
accuracy. The spitting cobra does not often actually bite despite its
aggressive behavior, and also shares the same habit of feigning death to
avoid further molestation.
The average length of adults is between 900mm – 1,050mm (2½-3 feet),
but largest specimen actually measured was a male 1,442mm (4 feet) long.
(Trelawney, Zimbabwe)
When in a confined area like a tube the reptile will bite instead of spit. This is due to its aggressiveness.
(From 10)
Venom: 7
Fatalities: 5
Personality: 5
Aggressiveness: 10
Total: 27
5.Crotalus adamanteus
Common name: eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus is a venomous pitviper species found in the
southeastern United States. It is the heaviest (though not longest)
venomous snake in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake.
Inhabits upland dry pine forest, pine and palmetto flatwoods,
sandhills and coastal maritime hammocks, Longleaf Pine/Turkey Oak
habitats, grass-sedge marshes and swamp forest, mesic hammocks, sandy
mixed woodlands, xeric hammocks, salt marshes, as well as wet prairies
during dry periods. In many areas it seems to use burrows made by
gophers and gopher tortoises during the summer and winter. Eastern
diamondbacks can live beyond twenty years, but life expectancy in the
wild is now typically shorter because of hunting and human expansion.
This species has the reputation of being the most dangerous venomous
snake in North America. While not usually aggressive, they are large and
powerful. The venom contains a thrombin-like enzyme (TLE), called
crotalase, that is capable of clotting fibrinogen, leading to the
secondary activation of plasminogen from endothelial cells. Although the
venom does not activate platelets, the production of fibrin strands can
result in a reduced platelet count, as well as the hemolysis of red
blood cells. Even with this defibrination, however, clinically
significant bleeding is uncommon. Nevertheless, the venom does exhibit
high hemorrhagic activity. It also contains a low-molecular-weight basic
peptide that impedes neuromuscular transmission and can lead to cardiac
failure.
(From 10)
Venom: 6
Fatalities: 7
Personality: 7
Aggressiveness: 6
Total: 26/40
6.Inland Taipan
The Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus
microlepidotus), also known as the Small Scaled Snake or Fierce Snake,
is native to Australia and is the most venomous land snake on Earth. It
is a species of Taipan belonging to the Elapidae family. Although highly
venomous, it is very shy and secretive, preferring to escape from
trouble, biting only if threatened.
The Inland Taipan prefers the dry, arid climate of the Australian
outback. It lives primarily in small abandoned rat burrows were it stays
during the day to escape the intense heat. The Inland Taipan hunts
during the early morning so that it avoids the heat of the day in the
numerous small cracks and dry riverbeds, common areas for unsuspecting
rodents. The Inland Taipan is a top apex predator and uses its habitat
well. It traps various smaller organisms in the small cracks and
crevasses to catch its prey.
The most toxic venom of any snake. Maximum yield recorded (for one
bite) is 110mg. That would porbably be enough to kill over 100 people or
250,000 mice. With an LD50 of 0.01 mg/kg, it is about 10 times as
venomous as a Mojave rattlesnake and 750 times as venomous as a common
cobra. Inland Taipan a.k.a Fierce Snakes are known to live in holes, and
feed on small rodents such as mice and rats. Despite its name, Fierce
Snakes are not known to be particularly aggressive, but docile. They
will strike if provoked, however, injecting their incomparably toxic
venom.No fatalities have been attributed to this species, and all known
bites have been to people who keep them in captivity or actively seek
them out in the wild.
(From 10)
Venom: 10
Fatalities: 3
Personality: 7
Aggressiveness: 3
Total: 23
7. Australian Brown Snake
(Pseudonaja textilis ), Australia. One
1/14,000 of an ounce of this vemon is enough to kill a person. The
Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) – sometimes referred to as the
Common Eastern Brown Snake is the world’s second most venomous land
snake, native to Australia and may also be found on the peninsulas of
Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Eastern Brown Snakes are very fast
moving and highly aggressive. When agitated, they will hold their necks
high, appearing in a somewhat upright S-shape. The snake will
occasionally chase an aggressor and strike at it repeatedly.
The Eastern Brown snake is diurnal (meaning it is active during the
day). When highly agitated, they hold their necks high, appearing in an
upright S-shape. But despite their fearsome reputation, brown snakes are
reluctant to bite and react only to movement; standing still when in
close proximity to one will result in it ignoring you. They are
attracted to rural and farming areas, probably due to the large numbers
of associated rodents. Such areas also normally provide shelter in the
form of rubbish and other cover. he Eastern Brown Snake is the second
most venomous land snake in the world after the Inland Taipan. Their
venom is very toxic, and can be fatal; even juveniles have caused human
fatalities. The venom contains both neurotoxins and blood
coagulants.Eastern Brown Snakes are also aggressive. Compared to most
snakes that will flee when ever possible, Brown Snakes are much more
likely to stand their ground, heightening the danger in an encounter.
Without medical treatment, death is highly likely.
(From 10)
Venom: 9
Fatalities: 3
Personality: 6
Aggressiveness: 4
Total: 22/40
8.Tiger Snake
Tiger snakes are a type of venomous serpent
found in southern regions of Australia, including its coastal islands
and Tasmania. These snakes are highly variable in their colour, often
banded like those on a tiger, and forms in their regional occurrences.
Tiger snakes possess a potent neurotoxin (notexin), coagulants,
haemolysins and myotoxins, and rank amongst the deadliest snakes in the
world. Symptoms of a bite include localized pain in the foot and neck
region, tingling, numbness, and sweating, followed by a fairly rapid
onset of breathing difficulties and paralysis. While antivenom is
effective, mortality rate for this species is over 60% if not treated.
(From 10)
Venom: 6
Fatalities: 4
Personality: 7
Aggressiveness: 3
Total: 20
9.Python (Burmese)
Pythons are usually a non-venomous snakes.
The Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) is the largest subspecies
of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest snakes in the world,
native to a big variation of tropic and subtropic areas of Soutern- and
Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes
semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees. Wild individuals average
3.7 metres (12 ft) long,[1][2] but may reach up to 5.8 metres (19 ft).
Like all snakes, Burmese Pythons are carnivorous. Their diet consists
primarily of appropriately sized birds and mammals. The snake uses its
sharp rearward-pointing teeth to seize its prey, then wraps its body
around the prey at the same time contracting its muscles, killing the
prey by constriction. They are often found near human habitations due to
the presence of rats, mice and other vermin as a food source. However,
their equal affinity for domesticated birds and mammals means that they
are often treated as a pest. In captivity their diet consists primarily
of commercially available, appropriately sized rats, and moving up to
larger items such as rabbits and poultry as they grow. Exceptionally
large pythons may even require larger food items such as pigs or goats,
and are known to have attacked alligators in Florida, where it is an
invasive species
(From 10)
Venom: 0
Fatalities: 1
Personality: 10
Aggressiveness: 7
Total: 18
10.The Common Death Adder
(Acanthophis antarcticus), is a species of Death Adder native to
Australia. It is one of the most venomous land snakes in Australia and
the world. Unlike its sister species of Death Adders, the Common Death
Adder is common and is not under major threat.
The Common Death Adder occurs over much of eastern and coastal
southern Australia – Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South
Australia. It may also be found more scarce in the Northern Territory,
Western Australia and the west parts of South Australia, due to its
sister species of Death Adders (eg. Desert Adder).
Common Death Adders eat small mammals and birds as a primary diet.
Unlike other snakes, the Common Death Adder lies in wait for its prey
(often for many days) until a meal passes. It covers itself with leaves —
making itself inconspicuous — and lies coiled in ambush, twitching its
yellowish grub-like tail close to its head as a lure. When an animal
approaches to investigate the movement, the death adder quickly strikes,
injecting its venom and then waiting for the victim to die before
eating it. This ambush hunting makes the death adder more of a threat to
humans.
The Common Death Adder is the world’s fifth most venomous snake and
probably the fastest of all Australian snakes when it comes to striking a
victim. Death Adders are an ambush predator and while other snakes may
attempt to flee if a human comes near a Death Adder is unlikely to,
increasing the danger if not noticed.
(From 10)
Venom: 7
Fatalities: 1
Personality: 5
Aggressiveness: 1
Total: 15
