1 July 2014

ANIMAL WORLD - Top 10 Most Poisonous Snakes in the World






Article by Sakshi Agrawal
http://listdose.com


The worlds’ most poisonous snakes has the most amazing skin, they are shiny, glossy, striking and alluring. But no matter how beautiful these creatures are, you cannot even dare to be around them forget about the whim to touch. Snakes never intent to attack humans willingly but it doesn’t change the fact that they are the most venomous and dangerous creatures in the world. In fact, they fear us as much as we fear them and ergo when encountered one should never try to harm them; they get aggressive and furious when disturbed. It’s important to have a basic knowledge about the most poisonous snakes in the world. This is the reason why we have brought yet another top ten most addictive list for our readers. So, have a look on “The Most Poisonous Snakes in the World”

10. Death Adder –

Death-Adder
Death Adder is native to Australia and is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world found mainly on the east coast of Australia, New Guinea and nearby Islands. They have a very unique way of hunting; they have the habit of burying themselves in the sand or leaf litter and secretly wait for their prey to approach rather than aggressively stalking like other snakes and as soon as the prey reaches nearby they twitch their tail to lure them and rapidly grab their diet. Their venom contains highly toxic neurotoxin, and they are capable of delivering the fastest strike among all venomous snakes in the world. If you ever come across something shiny and meek on Australian sand, avoid the urge to touch, it might be Death Adders tail.

9. Common Krait –

Common-Krait

Common Krait, most commonly referred to as Indian Krait or the blue krait is found mostly in the jungles or rural areas of the Indian subcontinent. It is highly neurotoxic and causes respiratory failure. Its bite is painless which is why the local villagers consider Common Krait a very mysterious snake. The neurotoxins affect the nerve endings and the victims die complaining about the severe abdominal cramps. The average length of the snake is 0.9 metre and can grow up to 1.75 metres. During the day time, it is sluggish, and at night, the snake is very active. Its one bite is enough to kill sixty people within four to eight hours.

8. Philippine Cobra –

Philippine-Cobra
Cobras are easily recognizable because of their wide neck collars, and unlike other cobras, Philippine Cobra is stocky and very poisonous. They are famous for their use by oriental snake charmers as they respond spontaneously to visual cues. This one of the most deadly snake in the world is capable of spitting its venom as far as three meters to reach its target. A bite from the Philippine cobra can lead to death from paralysis within an hour. They are found on Luxon, Mindoro, Catanduanes and Masbate Islands of Philippines. Although their average length is usually 1 meter but it can grow up to 2.5 meters long. The good news is the snake will attack you only when they feel that you are a threat to them or their babies. So now I hope you’d remember that not all cobra bites are harmless and safe.

7. Tiger Snake –

Tiger-Snake
Tiger snakes are found in south-eastern Australia and no, they don’t attack like tigers. They have a striped marking like those on a tiger and hence the name Tiger snake. The venom of this venomous snake contains potent presynaptic neurotoxins which cause progressive paralysis and muscle weakness. It also contains myotoxins that damages the muscle completely. Tiger snake loves to prey on frogs, small mammals, lizards and birds. In some areas where the food is in abundance, large numbers of tiger snakes are found. Unlike other Australian serpents, tiger snakes are protected species and an attempt to kill or injure them incurs a fine of up to $7500 with 18 months imprisonment.

6. Belcher’s Sea Snake –

Belcher-Sea-Snake
The other name for Belcher is faint-banded sea snake, and they have a very mild temperament. Unless and until you severely mistreat them they won’t attack. Although they are known for their docile nature but that doesn’t mean they are not dangerous. The snake lives in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Thailand, Australia, Solomon Islands and Northern Queensland. Its favourite food is fish, eels and fish eggs. The venom from its one deadly bite can kill three large Asian Elephants and can drop fifty fully grown men. Usually fishermen handling nets are the victims of Belcher’s sea snake but due to its cool temper it rarely injects much of its venom.

5. Black Mamba –

Black-Mamba
Black Mamba is the longest snake in Africa, reaching up to 4.5 meters in length. It is also the fastest snake in the world, capable of travelling a distance of 20 km in less than an hour. This deadliest snake has got its name not from its skin color but from the black color of the inside of its mouth. They are usually shy until threatened, but highly aggressive once provoked. Its venom is the most rapid acting venom of any snake species, and before antivenins were developed, a black mamba bite was 100% fatal. The natives of Savannas, south-eastern Africa and those visiting these regions should be aware of black mamba’s kiss of death.

4. Beaked Sea Snake –

Beaked-Sea-Snake
Beaked sea snake is highly venomous species of sea snakes and is also known as hook-nosed sea snake, common sea snake or valakadyn sea snake. This widespread species is responsible for five out of ten deaths caused by sea snake bites around the world. It can be found anywhere from the Persian gulf to northern coastal Australia. Its diet is very rich as it thrives on catfish and other sea life. The average venom yield per bite is 7.9-9.0 mg, while the lethal human dose is estimated to be 1.5mg. It get upset very easily and travels much faster on land than other sea snakes and therefore you have to be really careful when swimming off the coast to Australia.

3. Coastal Taipan –

Coastal-Taipan
The Coastal Taipan is a very dangerous and extremely venomous snake and has the largest fangs among all the other Australian snakes which grow up to 13 millimetres long which it uses to inject 120 mg of its deadly venom into the system of its victim. There,body is robust and can grow up to 3.5 metres, the average however is only 2.5 metres. They are very aggressive but prefer not to attack unless cornered or provoked. The Coastal Taipan is also known as eastern Taipan and hence, is found all along the coast of Australia, Queensland and the island of New Guinea. They occupies variety of habitats and shelters in abandoned animal burrows, discarded trash and sugarcane windrows as they can easily find their favourite food – bandicoots, rats, mice and lizards at these places.

2. Eastern Brown Snake –

Web
Eastern brown snake is also known as common brown snake and is often cited as the second most venomous land snake in the world. It is found throughout the eastern half of mainland Australia and Indonesia and has an average length of 1.8m. They are fast-moving, aggressive and are particularly known for their bad temper. This formidable creature is responsible for most of the deaths caused by snakebite in Australia. Its venom causes progressive paralysis and if immediate dosage of antidote is not given then the victim may collapse in less than an hour. It preys mainly on rodents, birds and other small reptiles which is why it is often found around farm buildings.

1. Inland Taipan –

Inland-Taipan

The Inland Taipan is an Australian native and is considered to be the most poisonous snake in the world. It is also known as small-scaled and fierce snake that can reach a total length of 2.5 metres. Although it is timid and reclusive, but the venom from one bite possesses enough punch to drop 100 fully grown men. The fierce snake inhabits the black plain soil in the Channel country of south-western Queensland and north-eastern South Australia. It shelters in the deep dry scrublands and crevices to escape from its predators and searing heat. The diet of Inland Taipan is solely composed of rodents, small mammals and birds. The prey is subdued with a series of seven venomous bites in a single attack after which the small-scaled serpent wait for its diet to die.


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