Ok!! after reading about the cobra incident in Galle yeaterday I thought I'd look up in the web for the most venomous snakes in the world, here's what I found.. thought of sharing with ya'll..
There has been a lot of debate about this topic but this is good estimation I guess!!
Number 10: Jarararcussu ( Bothrops Jarararcussu )
Snake’s Characteristics: Jarararcussu may inject a whopping 800 mg of venom per bite. Its single bite has the potential to kill 32 people.
Snake’s Distribution: Jarararcussus are found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay.
Number 9: Tiger Snake ( Notechis Scutatus )
Snake’s Characteristics: Tiger Snake is a dangerous poisonous snake found in Australia. It is very common and bites many humans in Australia. It has a very potent neurotoxic venom that attacks the nervous system. When aroused, it is aggressive and attacks any intruder. It flattens its neck making a narrow band. Its venom is produced in large quantities, with an average yield 35mg and a record of 180mg.
Snake’s Distribution: Tiger Snakes are found in Australia, Tasmania, Bass Strait islands and New Guinea.
Number 8: Multibanded krait ( Bungarus Multicinctus )
Snake’s Characteristics: Multibanded Krait is most active at night. Its venom is a very strong neurotoxin. Its victims are usually fishermen who untangle these deadly snakes from large fish nets.
Snake’s Distribution: Multibanded Kraits now rare in wild, are most preferred edible snakes in China.
Number 7: Yellow-Jawed Tommygoff ( Bothrops Asper )
Snake’s Characteristics: Yellow-Jawed Tommygoff has an irritable disposition and may strike with little provocation. Heat-seeking fangs help it strike accurately even in the dark. This highly poisonous snake is responsible for a high mortality rate. The female fer-de-lance is highly prolific, producing up to 60 new born. The venom of this species is hemotoxic, extremely painful and hemorrhagic (causes profuse internal bleeding). Its venom also causes massive tissue destruction.
Snake’s Distribution: Yellow-Jawed Tommygoffs or Fer-de-lance are found Southern Mexico, throughout Central and South America.
Number 6: Black Mamba ( Dendroaspis Polylepis )
Snake’s Characteristics: Black Mamba’s nickname is the “bottom up snake”; the victim supposedly has time for one quick drink before death. As said earlier, it is the dreaded snake species of Africa. Treat it with great respect. It is not only highly venomous but also aggressive and its victim has very little chance to escape from a bite. Its venom is highly neurotoxic. Hence Black Mamba’s bite is always 100% fatal if anti venom is not administered quickly. Despite the name this snake is actually brownish-gray. But when threatened, it opens its mouth wide and gives the victims a good view of the black internal lining of its mouth. Black Mamba is the fastest land snake in the world, reaching top speeds of 16-19 km/hr in short bursts.
Snake’s Distribution: Black Mamba’s are found in African savannas and open woodlands
Number 5: Russell’s Viper ( Vipera Russellii )
Snake’s Characteristics: Russell Viper is a dangerous species abundant over its entire range. It is responsible for more human fatalities than any other venomous snake. It is irritable. When threatened, it coils tightly, hisses and strikes with such speed that its victim has little chance of escaping. Its hemotoxic venom is a powerful coagulant, damaging tissue and blood cells.
Snake’s Distribution: Russell Vipers are found in Sri Lanka, Southern China, India, Malaysian Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and surrounding islands.
Number 4: King Cobra ( Ophiophagus Hannah )
Snake’s Characteristics: Although King Cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world and it has a disposition to go with this honor, it causes relatively few bites on humans. It appears to have a degree of intelligence. It avoids attacking another venomous snake for fear of being bitten. It feeds exclusively on harmless species. The female King Cobra builds a nest then deposits her eggs. Lying close by, she guards the nest and is highly aggressive toward anything that closely approaches the nest. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin. Without prompt medical aid, death is certain for its victims.
Snake’s Distribution: King Cobras are found in Thailand, Southern China, Malaysia Peninsula, South India and Philippines.
Number 3: Philippine Cobra ( Naja Naja Philippinensis )
Snake’s Characteristics: Philippine Cobras are recognized by the hoods that they flare when angry or disturbed; the hoods are created by the extension of the ribs behind the cobras’ heads. Philippine Cobras are famous for their use by oriental snake charmers because they respond well to visual cues. Philippine Cobra is Philippines most poisonous snake
Snake’s Distribution: As it name says Philipine Cobras are found in Philippine Islands.
Number 2: Krait ( Bungarus Caeruleus )
Snake’s Characteristics: Kraits are found only in Asia. This poisonous snake is of special concern to man. It is 15 times more deadly than any common cobra. It is active at night and relatively passive during the day. The native people often step on kraits while walking through their habitats. The krait has a tendency to seek shelter in sleeping bags, boots and tents. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin that causes respiratory failure. Indian Krait is India’s most venomous snake.
Snake’s Distribution: Kraits are found in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
Number 1: Inland Taipan ( Oxyuranus Microlepidotus )
Snake’s Characteristics: Considered as the most deadliest and poisonous snakes of all. Many people believe that Taipans are very aggressive but the fact is that they are docile creatures. Yes they has an aggressive disposition only when mishandled or disturbed without warning. When aroused, Taipan can display a fearsome appearance by flattening its head, raising it off the ground, waving it back and forth, and suddenly striking with such speed that the victim may receive several bites before it retreats. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin, causing respiratory paralysis. Its victim has very little chance for recovery without prompt medical aid.
Snake’s Distribution: Taipans ( Oxyuranus Scutellatus) are found in Northern Australia and Southern New Guinea. Whereas Inland Taipan ( world’s most toxic snake ) is found in Central Australia. Papuan Taipan ( Oxyuranus S. Canni ) are found in New Guinea.
Source
There has been a lot of debate about this topic but this is good estimation I guess!!
Number 10: Jarararcussu ( Bothrops Jarararcussu )
Snake’s Characteristics: Jarararcussu may inject a whopping 800 mg of venom per bite. Its single bite has the potential to kill 32 people.
Snake’s Distribution: Jarararcussus are found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay.
Number 9: Tiger Snake ( Notechis Scutatus )
Snake’s Characteristics: Tiger Snake is a dangerous poisonous snake found in Australia. It is very common and bites many humans in Australia. It has a very potent neurotoxic venom that attacks the nervous system. When aroused, it is aggressive and attacks any intruder. It flattens its neck making a narrow band. Its venom is produced in large quantities, with an average yield 35mg and a record of 180mg.
Snake’s Distribution: Tiger Snakes are found in Australia, Tasmania, Bass Strait islands and New Guinea.
Number 8: Multibanded krait ( Bungarus Multicinctus )
Snake’s Characteristics: Multibanded Krait is most active at night. Its venom is a very strong neurotoxin. Its victims are usually fishermen who untangle these deadly snakes from large fish nets.
Snake’s Distribution: Multibanded Kraits now rare in wild, are most preferred edible snakes in China.
Number 7: Yellow-Jawed Tommygoff ( Bothrops Asper )
Snake’s Characteristics: Yellow-Jawed Tommygoff has an irritable disposition and may strike with little provocation. Heat-seeking fangs help it strike accurately even in the dark. This highly poisonous snake is responsible for a high mortality rate. The female fer-de-lance is highly prolific, producing up to 60 new born. The venom of this species is hemotoxic, extremely painful and hemorrhagic (causes profuse internal bleeding). Its venom also causes massive tissue destruction.
Snake’s Distribution: Yellow-Jawed Tommygoffs or Fer-de-lance are found Southern Mexico, throughout Central and South America.
Number 6: Black Mamba ( Dendroaspis Polylepis )
Snake’s Characteristics: Black Mamba’s nickname is the “bottom up snake”; the victim supposedly has time for one quick drink before death. As said earlier, it is the dreaded snake species of Africa. Treat it with great respect. It is not only highly venomous but also aggressive and its victim has very little chance to escape from a bite. Its venom is highly neurotoxic. Hence Black Mamba’s bite is always 100% fatal if anti venom is not administered quickly. Despite the name this snake is actually brownish-gray. But when threatened, it opens its mouth wide and gives the victims a good view of the black internal lining of its mouth. Black Mamba is the fastest land snake in the world, reaching top speeds of 16-19 km/hr in short bursts.
Snake’s Distribution: Black Mamba’s are found in African savannas and open woodlands
Number 5: Russell’s Viper ( Vipera Russellii )
Snake’s Characteristics: Russell Viper is a dangerous species abundant over its entire range. It is responsible for more human fatalities than any other venomous snake. It is irritable. When threatened, it coils tightly, hisses and strikes with such speed that its victim has little chance of escaping. Its hemotoxic venom is a powerful coagulant, damaging tissue and blood cells.
Snake’s Distribution: Russell Vipers are found in Sri Lanka, Southern China, India, Malaysian Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and surrounding islands.
Number 4: King Cobra ( Ophiophagus Hannah )
Snake’s Characteristics: Although King Cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world and it has a disposition to go with this honor, it causes relatively few bites on humans. It appears to have a degree of intelligence. It avoids attacking another venomous snake for fear of being bitten. It feeds exclusively on harmless species. The female King Cobra builds a nest then deposits her eggs. Lying close by, she guards the nest and is highly aggressive toward anything that closely approaches the nest. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin. Without prompt medical aid, death is certain for its victims.
Snake’s Distribution: King Cobras are found in Thailand, Southern China, Malaysia Peninsula, South India and Philippines.
Number 3: Philippine Cobra ( Naja Naja Philippinensis )
Snake’s Characteristics: Philippine Cobras are recognized by the hoods that they flare when angry or disturbed; the hoods are created by the extension of the ribs behind the cobras’ heads. Philippine Cobras are famous for their use by oriental snake charmers because they respond well to visual cues. Philippine Cobra is Philippines most poisonous snake
Snake’s Distribution: As it name says Philipine Cobras are found in Philippine Islands.
Number 2: Krait ( Bungarus Caeruleus )
Snake’s Characteristics: Kraits are found only in Asia. This poisonous snake is of special concern to man. It is 15 times more deadly than any common cobra. It is active at night and relatively passive during the day. The native people often step on kraits while walking through their habitats. The krait has a tendency to seek shelter in sleeping bags, boots and tents. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin that causes respiratory failure. Indian Krait is India’s most venomous snake.
Snake’s Distribution: Kraits are found in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
Number 1: Inland Taipan ( Oxyuranus Microlepidotus )
Snake’s Characteristics: Considered as the most deadliest and poisonous snakes of all. Many people believe that Taipans are very aggressive but the fact is that they are docile creatures. Yes they has an aggressive disposition only when mishandled or disturbed without warning. When aroused, Taipan can display a fearsome appearance by flattening its head, raising it off the ground, waving it back and forth, and suddenly striking with such speed that the victim may receive several bites before it retreats. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin, causing respiratory paralysis. Its victim has very little chance for recovery without prompt medical aid.
Snake’s Distribution: Taipans ( Oxyuranus Scutellatus) are found in Northern Australia and Southern New Guinea. Whereas Inland Taipan ( world’s most toxic snake ) is found in Central Australia. Papuan Taipan ( Oxyuranus S. Canni ) are found in New Guinea.
Source
thx sri_lion..
