Top 10 Most Venomous Snakes

Like it or not, snakes are beautiful animals; they are one of Mother Nature’s most prolific predators. Snakes have developed and perfected one of Nature’s most terrifying and effective weapons… poisonous fangs. Although most of the World’s snakes are in fact non-venomous, the ladies on the following list center their attack (or defense) around extremely potent toxins. They are so effective it only takes a tiny fraction of what they inject into their prey to kill them.

The following list is based on their killing potential, meaning, how many lab rats they can actually kill in one bite and then translate that to potential human deaths —assuming a 150 pound (70kg) human being and 20 gram mice. This list isn’t about the most dangerous snakes or the most toxic drop for drop venoms; it is based on a simple calculation of the average venom yield per bite and its toxicity when administered to lab rats. Of course the human metabolism is different than that of a rat; therefore take the results in humans with a grain of salt.

	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 400mg		1650		1
Mice LD50: 6mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 420mg

The Bushmaster is found in the South American equatorial forests and can easily reach 9 feet (3m) in length, sometimes over 12 feet (4m), making them the biggest vipers in the World. They are known in Brazilian slang as “surucucu”, where legend say it sucks the milk from cows and sleeping women. It kills oxes in the Costa Rica as “matabuey”. It killed entire mule trains, according to reports from early New World explorers.

Bushmasters are from the subfamily of the pit vipers, so named because they have a pit in each side of the head that function as infrared heat sensors, enabling them to trace the body heat of their prey.

The Bushmaster’s venom is a complex cocktail of toxic compounds. Pit viper’s venom is an haemotoxin and it affects the circulatory system, among others. What this venom does is to “digest” the prey from within even before it is even ingested; this is why these snake bites leave behind nasty scars to those fortunate enough to survive. Sometimes, the bitten limb of the victim must be amputated.

Although the Bushmaster’s venom is relatively weak in toxicity when compared to other venomous snakes in this list, she makes up for it with volume with the average bite yielding 400mg. (one of the largest snake venom injections) From the 6mg subcutaneous LD₅₀ in mice we can roughly extrapolate the LD₅₀ in humans to be around 420mg, which is more than the average Bushmaster’s bite. We could therefore conclude that the mortality rate should be at best 50%. However, even with the antivenin the snake’s bite is fatal in 80% of the cases. The reason behind this discrepancy may come from the fact that these snakes don’t do well in captivity and its venom toxicity may be affected by it. All we know for sure is that this snake is nasty and deadly, one you don’t want to be near.

Bushmasters at Cape Fear Serpentarium

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Image Credits: nainagosavi

	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 8,5mg		1930		1
Mice LD50: 0,11mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 7,7mg

Also known as the hook-nosed sea snake or the common sea snake, this species is found all over the coastline of the Indian Ocean from Madagascar to Australia. It is notoriously aggressive and readily provoked; being responsible for nine out of every ten deaths from sea snake bites.

Like the majority of sea snakes, this species is highly venomous; however, the volume injected in each bite is low and the envenomation symptoms usually seem trivial or non-existent. For this reason, the victims often don’t seek immediate health care until it’s too late. Death is usually from paralysis of the respiratory system or cardiac arrest up to 12 hours after the bite.

	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 20mg		3300		2
Mice LD50: 0,15mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 10,5mg

The Saw-Scaled or Carpet Viper is relatively small (Up to 30 inches or 75cm) and ill tempered, it is found north of the equator, in Africa and in the Middle East.

When alarmed, carpet vipers will move slowly with the body looped into S-shaped folds, producing a sound with their oblique scales (serrated scales) rubbing against each other. This sound is similar to a hissing sound and is a defensive alarm used to warn potential predators. This sound is called stridulation and you can hear it in the video below. These snakes are quick to strike and mortality rates for those bitten are high, it is believed that carpet vipers are responsible for more human fatalities than all other snake species combined. Their venom is hemotoxic and very virulent. The venom causes spontaneous internal bleeding, sometimes several days after the bite has occurred.

Carpet Viper Stridulation

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	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 190mg		6300		3
Mice LD50: 0,75mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 52,5mg

Found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, this viper can reach up to 5.5 feet. (180cm) Russell’s vipers tend to avoid dense forests and are usually found in the open, grassy or bushy areas.  These snakes are usually calm and sluggish and won’t react to provocation unless pushed beyond a certain limit; at which they become aggressive to a point of striking with such might that they lift their entire bodies off the ground. These vipers are believed to be heat-sensitive like the pit vipers even though they don’t have the characteristic pit of the later.

Their venom isn’t the strongest among vipers but the volume is considerable. Much like the previous vipers, the venom is hemotoxic and will cause massive bleedings. Severe pain in the zone of the bite may last up to a month.

Image Credits: www.jonatan-linda.se

	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 85mg		6640		4
Mice LD50: 0,32mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 22,4mg

Contrary to what the name suggests, the Black Mamba isn’t black, at least not from the outside. The name derives from the black color inside its mouth. This sub equatorial African snake is the record holder for the fastest snake on the planet with speeds up 14mph (23km/h); the size isn’t shy either, this snake can reach up to 13 feet (4.3m) in length.

The Black Mambas are usually found in small groups. The Mambas can elevate their heads about 3 feet (1m) off the ground when under threat. They can strike from up to 6 feet (2m) away and when they do, they will make several quick strikes before escaping to safety.

Before the availability of antivenins, this snake’s bite was a true death sentence; the fatality rate was 100%. Its venom is a dendrotoxin and the cause of death of its victims is usually attributed to the paralysis of the respiratory muscles; leading to suffocation.  It can potentially kill one human in less than 20 minutes.

	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 10mg		6950		4
Mice LD50: 0,036mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 2,52mg

A native of Australia, the snake also known as the Common Brown Snake can grow up to 6 feet (2m) in length. These snakes are known for having the 2^nd most powerful venom of all land snakes, right after the Inland Taipan. Fortunately the Eastern Brown snake usually flees from humans, though it can get aggressive if provoked or if the snake feels trapped. In search for rodents, this snake is attracted to farms and rural areas; these places are where most of the reported bites in humans come from. These bites usually end with the victim’s death after just a few hours.

Its venom consists mostly of powerful neurotoxins and blood coagulants. The bite results in progressive paralysis and blood clot formation. The victims usually experience shock, followed by coma and finally, death.

	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 152mg		7600		4
Mice LD50: 0,5mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 35mg

The Death Adder is another of Australia’s native snakes. They are relatively small — up to 3 feet (1m) — but their fangs are among the biggest when compared to its body size. The Death Adder is an aggressive snake and will not flee from humans; instead they will remain immovable and imperceptibly blended under foliage, sand or debris until someone or something passes nearby. The snake uses its odd worm like tail to attract small birds, lizards or small mammals; they twitch their tail rapidly like a grub until the prey approaches close enough, at which point they are doomed; the Adder strike rarely misses its target.

The venom is quite strong and the volume injected is considerably high for the snake’s size; it is largely neurotoxic and postsynaptic and as such acts rapidly. Paralysis of essential respiratory muscles is again the main cause of death.

	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 112mg		13333		8
Mice LD50: 0,21mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 14,7mg

Can you guess where this one comes from? You got it right; the Tiger Snake happily roams around Southern Australia and Tasmania. These snake can differ broadly in their appearance but they usually have stripes resembling those of a Tiger (hence the name) and they can reach a length of up to 6 feet (2m). These snakes are not naturally aggressive toward humans; they tend to announce their presence and attempt to flee.

The Tiger Snake possesses a powerful cocktail of drugs. The venom is among the most powerful; it is simultaneously Hemotoxic, Neurotoxic and Myotoxic.  Death usually arrives with diaphragmatic paralysis and consequent asphyxia.

	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 30mg		18750		11
Mice LD50: 0,04mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 2,8mg

Kraits come in many different flavors, there are 12 species in total and all of them are extremely deadly. The Common Krait with an average length of 3 feet (1m) is just one of these species; it can be found in the low scrub jungles of the Indian sub-continent. They prey on other snakes and can even turn cannibalistic. They are not aggressive toward humans even when provoked, they prefer to coil and hide their heads for protection. The bites are usually a result of close encounters in inhabited areas; sometimes these snakes chose to make human habitation their own.

The Krait venom is a neurotoxic cocktail that is both strong and deceiving. The bite affected zone if often painless which can lead to a false judgment of the seriousness of the situation. As in other neurotoxic venoms, the cause of death is suffocation from respiratory failure, usually 6 to 12 hours after the bite.

	Certain deaths with one bite
Avg. Venom per bite: 77mg		77000		44
Mice LD50: 0,025mg/kg
Estimated Human LD50: 1,75mg

The Inland Taipan, another one on Australia’s big bad snake’s repertoire.  This one however, has a special spot on this list as it is regarded as the most venomous snake in the World — the one with the biggest killing potential. Sure there are other marine snakes whose poison is even stronger when compared drop by drop, however, their venom volume is far from enough to consider them life threatening.

The Inland Taipan is one of the 3 known species of Taipans, the other being the Coastal Taipan and the Central Ranges Taipan. The latter two could easily occupy 2^nd and 3^rd position on this list as they are more venomous than the Common Krait, but for the sake of diversity and since they belong to the same genus I chose to include only the worst of them all, the Inland Taipan.

The Inland Taipan can reach up to 8 feet (2.5m) in length. It is also known as the Small Scalled Snake as well as the Fierce Snake — Fierce referring not to the temperament of the snake but to its venom lethality. Its venom is also a neurotoxic cocktail and like all other snake neurotoxins will mess up with the nervous system and cause paralysis, ultimately ending in asphyxia. One of the neurotoxic agents in the venom cocktail is taipoxin, currently the most lethal neurotoxin of all known snakes. For the same volume, pure taipoxin is 15 times more deadly than the natural venom of the Inland Taipan.

Fortunately there isn’t a single human death attributed to this snake, in part because they live far from inhabited zones and also because of the specific antivenin effectiveness.

Corwin's Quest - Inland Taipan

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