Top 10 Most Venomous & Deadliest Snakes in the World
World Ranking - Of the approximately 3400 species of snakes, there are around 600 species of poisonous snakes in the world. Of the several species of snake can cause more damage to the body than others. And among them it is still very capable of causing death in humans if the bite does not immediately get help.
Mortality (usually using mice to determine the level of toxicity) is a common indicator used to determine the danger level of poisonous snakes. But other factors also determine such as the efficiency of sending toxins, the toxic effects on the body and behavior when meeting humans. Many snake experts say that black mamba and coastal taipan snakes are the most dangerous in the world, even though they are not the most venomous snakes. Black mamba and coastal taipan bites need antivenom therapy that is very fast and strong because without such intervention, it is almost always fatal. The poison of these two species works so fast that it must be handled quickly too.
Given the many factors that determine the level of danger of venomous snakes such as the accuracy of the bite, the level of aggression of the snake to humans and the speed of toxic effects caused, it means that the snake with the strongest poison is not necessarily the deadliest than the others. The following is a list of the 10 deadliest snake rankings in the world:
10. Yellow Bellied Sea Snake
Other names: Yellow belly sea snake or pelagic sea snake
Binomial name: Hydrophis Platurus
Physical characteristics: The back is shiny black, and the lower abdomen is bright yellow or yellow sulfur, the tail is flat and has black and yellow spots
Length: Male snakes reach 0.72 m, female snakes reach 0.88 m
Distribution and habitat: Widespread throughout the oceans, tropical and subtropical coasts of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, but these snakes have not been found in the Atlantic Ocean
Clinical symptoms: Muscle pain and stiffness, drooping eyelids, drowsiness and vomiting, to total paralysis and death
Binomial name: Hydrophis Platurus
Physical characteristics: The back is shiny black, and the lower abdomen is bright yellow or yellow sulfur, the tail is flat and has black and yellow spots
Length: Male snakes reach 0.72 m, female snakes reach 0.88 m
Distribution and habitat: Widespread throughout the oceans, tropical and subtropical coasts of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, but these snakes have not been found in the Atlantic Ocean
Clinical symptoms: Muscle pain and stiffness, drooping eyelids, drowsiness and vomiting, to total paralysis and death
9. Russell’s Viper
Other names: Chain viper
Binomial name: Daboia Russelii
Physical characteristics: Flat head, triangular and different from the neck, blunt snout, round and raised, large nostrils, muscular body, sharp back scales, dark yellow or brown, black ring patterned with white or yellow edges
Length: Maximum length of 1.66 m, average of 1.2 m
Distribution and habitat: India, much of Southeast Asia, South China and Taiwan. Not limited to certain habitats but tends to avoid dense forests, mostly found in open spaces, grasses, shrubs, and agricultural land
Clinical symptoms: Pain, swelling, vomiting, dizziness, blood clots to kidney failure
Binomial name: Daboia Russelii
Physical characteristics: Flat head, triangular and different from the neck, blunt snout, round and raised, large nostrils, muscular body, sharp back scales, dark yellow or brown, black ring patterned with white or yellow edges
Length: Maximum length of 1.66 m, average of 1.2 m
Distribution and habitat: India, much of Southeast Asia, South China and Taiwan. Not limited to certain habitats but tends to avoid dense forests, mostly found in open spaces, grasses, shrubs, and agricultural land
Clinical symptoms: Pain, swelling, vomiting, dizziness, blood clots to kidney failure
8. Dubois’ Seasnake
Other names: Reef shallows sea snake
Binomial name: Aipysurus Duboisii
Physical characteristics: The head is slightly wider than the neck, the nostrils at the top and nose are interconnected, the eyes are separated by scales, the back scales are usually flat but sometimes have small keel or small protrusions, the tail is relatively long and flat, the body color and pattern vary
Length: Maximum length of 1.48 m, averaging 0.8 - 1.1 m
Distribution and habitat: Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Australia's northern, eastern and western coastal regions, the Arafura Sea, the Timor Sea and the Indian Ocean. Usually living in depths of up to 80 m on coral reefs, sandy and muddy sediments containing seaweed
Clinical symptoms: Muscle damage, causing an increase in creatinine levels and kidney damage, if not treated immediately can cause respiratory failure to death
Binomial name: Aipysurus Duboisii
Physical characteristics: The head is slightly wider than the neck, the nostrils at the top and nose are interconnected, the eyes are separated by scales, the back scales are usually flat but sometimes have small keel or small protrusions, the tail is relatively long and flat, the body color and pattern vary
Length: Maximum length of 1.48 m, averaging 0.8 - 1.1 m
Distribution and habitat: Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Australia's northern, eastern and western coastal regions, the Arafura Sea, the Timor Sea and the Indian Ocean. Usually living in depths of up to 80 m on coral reefs, sandy and muddy sediments containing seaweed
Clinical symptoms: Muscle damage, causing an increase in creatinine levels and kidney damage, if not treated immediately can cause respiratory failure to death
7. Black Tiger Snake
Other names: King island tiger snakes
Binomial name: Notechis Ater Humphreysi
Physical characteristics: Flat and blunt head, slightly different from the neck, the color of the back is usually jet black, the waist part is younger, with a lighter color, usually creamy yellow, scales appear like overlapping shields
Length: Average length of 0.9 m, maximum length of 1.5 m
Distribution and habitat: Black tiger snakes are only found on the Tasmania Island. This snake species inhabits dense forests, thick bush land, and dense tussock grasslands, often around streams and swamps
Clinical symptoms: Pain that is localized in the area of the foot and neck, tingling, numbness and sweating, paralysis, until respiratory failure that can lead to death
Binomial name: Notechis Ater Humphreysi
Physical characteristics: Flat and blunt head, slightly different from the neck, the color of the back is usually jet black, the waist part is younger, with a lighter color, usually creamy yellow, scales appear like overlapping shields
Length: Average length of 0.9 m, maximum length of 1.5 m
Distribution and habitat: Black tiger snakes are only found on the Tasmania Island. This snake species inhabits dense forests, thick bush land, and dense tussock grasslands, often around streams and swamps
Clinical symptoms: Pain that is localized in the area of the foot and neck, tingling, numbness and sweating, paralysis, until respiratory failure that can lead to death
6. King Cobra
Other names: Anang snake, hamadryad
Binomial name: Ophiophagus Hannah
Physical characteristics: The body is long and slender, usually yellowish brown, olive brown to grayish, with a head that tends to be lighter in color, a large head and a relatively short and blunt snout, when straightening its head the neck will stretch like a spoon
Length: Average length of 3 - 4.5 m, maximum length of 5.8 m
Distribution and habitat: India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, South China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaya Peninsula, Andaman Islands, Indonesia, Philippines. Usually found near the coast to an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level, starting from the lowlands, forests, swamps, bushes, agricultural land, plantations to residential areas
Clinical symptoms: Very severe pain, blurred vision, vertigo, muscle paralysis, failure of the cardiovascular system, and subsequently can paralyze the respiratory system that causes death
Binomial name: Ophiophagus Hannah
Physical characteristics: The body is long and slender, usually yellowish brown, olive brown to grayish, with a head that tends to be lighter in color, a large head and a relatively short and blunt snout, when straightening its head the neck will stretch like a spoon
Length: Average length of 3 - 4.5 m, maximum length of 5.8 m
Distribution and habitat: India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, South China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaya Peninsula, Andaman Islands, Indonesia, Philippines. Usually found near the coast to an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level, starting from the lowlands, forests, swamps, bushes, agricultural land, plantations to residential areas
Clinical symptoms: Very severe pain, blurred vision, vertigo, muscle paralysis, failure of the cardiovascular system, and subsequently can paralyze the respiratory system that causes death
5. Many-Banded Krait
Other names: Taiwanese krait, Chinese krait
Binomial name: Bungarus Multicinctus
Physical characteristics: Slender body, smooth and shiny scales, black or bluish black, with pith lines or creamy white alternating along the upper body, short and pointed tail, the abdomen is usually white or cream, small eyes and black with big nostrils
Length: Average length of 1 - 1.5 m, maximum length of 1.85 m
Distribution and habitat: Taiwan (including the Matsu and Kinmen islands), central and southern China, Hong Kong, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, North Vietnam and Thailand. Commonly found in humid lowlands, swamps, bushes, forests, agricultural fields, like being near water such as rivers, rice fields and ditches
Clinical symptoms: The victim initially only feels a little itchy and numb. However, systemic symptoms generally only occur one to six hours after being bitten by this snake with symptoms of chest discomfort, pain, weakness, loss of voice, blurred vision, difficulty breathing and respiratory failure that causes death.
Binomial name: Bungarus Multicinctus
Physical characteristics: Slender body, smooth and shiny scales, black or bluish black, with pith lines or creamy white alternating along the upper body, short and pointed tail, the abdomen is usually white or cream, small eyes and black with big nostrils
Length: Average length of 1 - 1.5 m, maximum length of 1.85 m
Distribution and habitat: Taiwan (including the Matsu and Kinmen islands), central and southern China, Hong Kong, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, North Vietnam and Thailand. Commonly found in humid lowlands, swamps, bushes, forests, agricultural fields, like being near water such as rivers, rice fields and ditches
Clinical symptoms: The victim initially only feels a little itchy and numb. However, systemic symptoms generally only occur one to six hours after being bitten by this snake with symptoms of chest discomfort, pain, weakness, loss of voice, blurred vision, difficulty breathing and respiratory failure that causes death.
4. Eastern Brown Snake
Other names: Common brown snakes
Binomial name: Pseudonaja Textilis
Physical characteristics: A slim and borderless body between the head and neck, the snout looks round when viewed from above, the color of the upper part of olive brown to dark brown, sometimes orange, its tongue is dark, the scales of the stomach are usually dark brown eyed at the posterior edge
Length: Average length of 1.5 - 2 m, maximum length of 2.4 m
Distribution and habitat: Along the east coast of Australia, from the coast to the inland of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Peninsula of Yorke in South Australia, in parts of Papua, especially in the northern Gulf of Milne and central provinces in Papua New Guinea, and the Marauke region in Papua province. Occupies a variety of habitats from the coast, eucalypt and savanna forests, grasslands, shrubs, agricultural land, but not found in rainforests and other wetlands
Clinical symptoms: Diarrhea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions, kidney failure, paralysis, cardiac arrest, if not treated immediately can be fatal to death
Binomial name: Pseudonaja Textilis
Physical characteristics: A slim and borderless body between the head and neck, the snout looks round when viewed from above, the color of the upper part of olive brown to dark brown, sometimes orange, its tongue is dark, the scales of the stomach are usually dark brown eyed at the posterior edge
Length: Average length of 1.5 - 2 m, maximum length of 2.4 m
Distribution and habitat: Along the east coast of Australia, from the coast to the inland of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Peninsula of Yorke in South Australia, in parts of Papua, especially in the northern Gulf of Milne and central provinces in Papua New Guinea, and the Marauke region in Papua province. Occupies a variety of habitats from the coast, eucalypt and savanna forests, grasslands, shrubs, agricultural land, but not found in rainforests and other wetlands
Clinical symptoms: Diarrhea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions, kidney failure, paralysis, cardiac arrest, if not treated immediately can be fatal to death
3. Black Mamba
Other names: Mamba snake
Binomial name: Dendroaspis Polylepis
Physical characteristics: The body is long and slender, cylindrical, the back of the eyebrows looks rather prominent, can move very quickly, usually bright black, gray, or brown to gray, the part of the abdomen is usually brighter than the back, mouth the inside is usually pitch black so that the channel to the esophagus is barely visible
Length: Average length of 2.2 - 3 m, maximum length of 4.5 m
Distribution and habitat: Spread across the eastern, central and southern African continents. Usually found in rather dry areas, such as savannas (grasslands overgrown with trees and shrubs), in open land on the edge of the forest, but sometimes also found near human settlements
Clinical symptoms: Causes local coagulation or necrosis, with initial symptoms of tingling sensations in the bitten area, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness and loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sweating, drooling, goosebumps, red eyes, if not treated immediately can result in respiratory failure which causes cardiovascular collapse to end in death
Binomial name: Dendroaspis Polylepis
Physical characteristics: The body is long and slender, cylindrical, the back of the eyebrows looks rather prominent, can move very quickly, usually bright black, gray, or brown to gray, the part of the abdomen is usually brighter than the back, mouth the inside is usually pitch black so that the channel to the esophagus is barely visible
Length: Average length of 2.2 - 3 m, maximum length of 4.5 m
Distribution and habitat: Spread across the eastern, central and southern African continents. Usually found in rather dry areas, such as savannas (grasslands overgrown with trees and shrubs), in open land on the edge of the forest, but sometimes also found near human settlements
Clinical symptoms: Causes local coagulation or necrosis, with initial symptoms of tingling sensations in the bitten area, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness and loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sweating, drooling, goosebumps, red eyes, if not treated immediately can result in respiratory failure which causes cardiovascular collapse to end in death
2. Coastal Taipan
Other names: Common taipan, beach tycoon snake
Binomial name: Oxyuranus Scutellatus
Physical characteristics: The head is long and narrow, the eyebrows are angled and colored brighter on the face, the body color can vary, often olive or reddish brown, some are dark gray to black, the abdomen is usually cream to pale yellow, the eyes big, round and light brown
Length: Average length of 1.5 - 2 m, maximum length of 3.3 m
Distribution and habitat: Only found in northwest Australia, north and east, and in southern Papua New Guinea. Commonly found in warm and wet tropical coastal areas, rainforests, dry and wet sclerophyll forests, grasslands, trash cans, sugarcane fields and in the alfresco
Clinical symptoms: Headache, nausea and vomiting, collapse, convulsions, paralysis, internal bleeding, muscle tissue damage, kidney damage, death can occur within 30 minutes after the bite
Binomial name: Oxyuranus Scutellatus
Physical characteristics: The head is long and narrow, the eyebrows are angled and colored brighter on the face, the body color can vary, often olive or reddish brown, some are dark gray to black, the abdomen is usually cream to pale yellow, the eyes big, round and light brown
Length: Average length of 1.5 - 2 m, maximum length of 3.3 m
Distribution and habitat: Only found in northwest Australia, north and east, and in southern Papua New Guinea. Commonly found in warm and wet tropical coastal areas, rainforests, dry and wet sclerophyll forests, grasslands, trash cans, sugarcane fields and in the alfresco
Clinical symptoms: Headache, nausea and vomiting, collapse, convulsions, paralysis, internal bleeding, muscle tissue damage, kidney damage, death can occur within 30 minutes after the bite
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1. Inland Taipan
Other names: Western taipan, small-scaled snake, fierce snake
Binomial name: Oxyuranus Microlepidotus
Physical characteristics: Colors vary, from dark brown, brownish green to blue, the body color of these snakes changes according to the changing seasons, tends to be lighter in the summer and turns darker during the winter, long and narrow head, round snout and usually darker than other parts of the body, round and rather large eyes with blackish brown iris and without colored edges visible around the pupil
Length: Average length of 1.8 m, maximum length of 2.5 m
Distribution and habitat: Inland taipan inhabit the black plains in semi-arid regions, Queensland and South and Northeast Australia. Commonly found in deep clay cracks, and cracks in floodplains, but they also roam to the gibber plain, sand dunes and rocky outcrops, tend to like cracks and holes as shelters
Clinical symptoms: Headache, nausea and vomiting, collapse, convulsions, paralysis, internal bleeding, muscle tissue damage, kidney damage, death can occur within 30 minutes after the bite
Binomial name: Oxyuranus Microlepidotus
Physical characteristics: Colors vary, from dark brown, brownish green to blue, the body color of these snakes changes according to the changing seasons, tends to be lighter in the summer and turns darker during the winter, long and narrow head, round snout and usually darker than other parts of the body, round and rather large eyes with blackish brown iris and without colored edges visible around the pupil
Length: Average length of 1.8 m, maximum length of 2.5 m
Distribution and habitat: Inland taipan inhabit the black plains in semi-arid regions, Queensland and South and Northeast Australia. Commonly found in deep clay cracks, and cracks in floodplains, but they also roam to the gibber plain, sand dunes and rocky outcrops, tend to like cracks and holes as shelters
Clinical symptoms: Headache, nausea and vomiting, collapse, convulsions, paralysis, internal bleeding, muscle tissue damage, kidney damage, death can occur within 30 minutes after the bite
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