There are few animals in this world that create as much fear as the poisonous snakes. Actually the right word is venom, not poison, but colloquially ‘poisonous’ snakes have become popular. Statistically most of us have a low chance of running into a poisonous snake. The chance of being bitten and dying from snakebite is even lower. There are more chances of a man dying from cancer, heart attack, or a car accident.
Reptiles scare many people and especially the poisonous snakes. The ten snakes in this list are probably hundreds of kilometers away from where you live. However you can always visit the zoos for a closer and safe look.
Here are the ultimate ten most poisonous snakes in the world –
Rattlesnake is found in the continent of America only and is one of the few poisonous snakes found there. Belonging to the pit viper family, it is a fearsome snake. A bite from a rattlesnake is fatal. Rattlesnakes derive their name from the rattling sound that their tail makes. First of all it warns other creatures with its rattle and then attacks.
#9 Philippine Cobra
The Philippine Cobra’s venom is the most deadly of all the Cobras. More dangerously, they can spit it up to 3 metres. The Philippine Cobra’s poison is a neurotoxin. This means immediately the venom attacks the cardiac and respiratory functions.
Furthermore it causes neurotoxicity, respiratory paralysis and death within thirty minutes. As soon as the snake bites, the victim starts to feel headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dizziness. He collapses and convulsions may start.
#8 Blue Krait
The Blue Krait is the most deadly krait in the world. This snake can be found commonly in South East Asia. A bite from a deadly Blue Krait is fatal even with the use of anti venom. An interesting thing is that kraits have been seen to hunt and kill other snakes. Furthermore Kraits will also cannibalize, that is it will eat other Kraits.
They mostly come out at night. Their venom is 16 times more dangerous than Cobra.
#7 Saw-scaled viper
Many call the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) as the deadliest of all snakes. It is because scientists have found that it is responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined. Actually the venom of a saw-scaled viper is although lesser lethal, but the snake is very aggressive. Thus it does have a big record of biting people at the slightest chance.
The boomslang snake (Dispholidus typus) is very difficult to spot. It is very dangerous because it hunts by extending its body motionless from a tree. One would mistake it for a branch. It is a rear-fanged snake which it pours its venom by chewing on its victim until the victim succumbs to the toxin.
#5 Eastern Brown Snake
It is estimated that 1/14,000 of an ounce of its venom is enough to kill an adult human. The Eastern Brown snake is one of the most venomous snakes in the world. It moves very fast and also gets very aggressive if it feels threatened. Sometimes it may also chase its aggressors and repeatedly strike at them. Even a small one has enough venom to kill a man.
#4 Tiger Snake
Tiger snakes are found only in Australia. It has a very potent neurotoxic venom. One could die from a bite within 30 minutes. With a bite, pain in the foot and around the neck area starts. Then starts tingling, numbness and sweating, and after that follows breathing difficulties and paralysis. The Tiger snake never misses its target.
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#3 Banded Krait
The banded krait, scientifically called Bungarus fasciatus, is a highly venomous relative of the cobra. Its venom is a kind of neurotoxin that induces paralysis and subsequent death.
Australia is home to some of the most poisonous snakes in the world and Taipan is one of them. The venom in a Taipan is so strong that it can to kill up to 12,000 guinea pigs.
As soon as the venom enters the body, it clots the victim’s blood. Therefore, this leads to blocked arteries and veins. Also it is highly neurotoxic.
Before the discovery of antivenom, there used to be no survivors from a Taipan bite. Usually a person bitten would die within an hour. Even with the successful administration of anti-venom, most victims will have to stay in intensive care. It is one of top feared and most poisonous snakes in the world.
#1 Black Mamba
In conclusion, here is the the fear of Africa. Black Mamba is found throughout the African continent. They are very aggressive and they never miss their target. These fearsome snakes will strike up to 12 times in a row.
They are also the fastest land snake in the world. A black mamba can speed up to 20 km per hour.
When a black mamba bites, initially there is local pain in the bite area but not very much. But then the victim experiences a tingling sensation in the mouth and extremities. He starts to have double vision, tunnel vision and severe confusion. Fever sets in with excessive salivation and foaming of the mouth and nose He develops lack of muscle control. If the victim is not given medical attention, symptoms deteriorate to abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and paralysis. Then the victim experiences convulsions, respiratory arrest, coma and then death. The mortality rate is nearly 100% which is the highest of all venomous snakes. Death can result at any time between 15 minutes and 3 hours.
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