While many people love snakes and even keep them as pets, others are flat-out terrified of them. Here are the 5 most dangerous snakes in t...
While many people love snakes and even keep them as pets, others are
flat-out terrified of them. Here are the 5 most dangerous snakes in the
world.
1. Belcher’s Sea Snake
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
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
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
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
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
1. Belcher’s Sea Snake
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
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
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
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
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
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