10. Philippine Cobra
Region: Philippines
The Philippine cobra (Naja philippinensis) also called northern Philippine cobra, is a stocky, highly venomous spitting cobra native to the northern regions of the Philippines. The Philippine cobra is called ulupong in Tagalog and agwason in Cebuano-Bisaya.
9. Death Adder
Region: Australia, New Guinea and nearby islands
Death adders are very viper-like in appearance, having a short, robust body, triangular shaped heads and small sub-ocular scales. They also have vertical pupils and many small scales on the top of the head. Their fangs are also longer and more mobile than for most other elapids, although still far from the size seen in some of the true vipers. Despite their name, they are not related to adders, which are members of the family Viperidae, and their similar appearance is due to convergent evolution.
8. Russell's Viper
Region: Southeast Asia including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar and Taiwan
Region: Southeast Asia including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar and Taiwan
The Russell's viper is one of the most dangerous snakes in all of Asia, accounting for thousands of deaths each year. Once bitten, people experience a wide variety of symptoms including pain, swelling, vomiting, dizziness, blood incompatibility and kidney failure.
7. Black Mamba
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
The black mamba is the longest venomous snake in Africa, averaging around 2.5 to 3.2 m (8.2 to 10 ft) in length, and sometimes growing to lengths of 4.45 m (14.6 ft). It is named for the black color of the inside of the mouth rather than the color of its scales which varies from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph). It has a reputation for being aggressive and highly venomous and is among the world's most venomous land snakes based on LD50 on mice in a study.
6. Saw-Scaled Viper
Region: Southern Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates
Region: Southern Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates
Saw-scaled viper is a venomous viper species found in parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, and especially the Indian subcontinent. It is the smallest member of the Big Four snakes which are responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths, due to various factors including their frequent occurrence in highly populated regions, and their inconspicuous nature. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
5. Tiger Snake
Region: Australia (Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania)
Region: Australia (Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania)
Tiger snakes are a type of venomous snake found in southern regions of Australia, including its coastal islands and Tasmania. These snakes are highly variable in their color, often banded like those on a tiger, and forms in their regional occurrences. All populations are in the genus Notechis, and their diverse characters have been described in further subdivisions of this group; they are sometimes described as distinct species and/or subspecies.
4. Many-banded krait
Region: Taiwan, China, Burma, Laos and Northern Vietnam
Region: Taiwan, China, Burma, Laos and Northern Vietnam
The Many-banded krait is a medium to large-sized snake, averaging about 1 to 1.5 meters (3.3 to 4.9 ft) in length with a maximum of 1.85 meters (6.1 ft). This snake has black with alternating and clear-cut black and white cross-bands throughout the body, with the black bands being wider than the white bands. The body has a high vertebral ridge. Juveniles usually have a white mark on their heads.
3. Coastal Taipan
Region: Australia: coastal Queensland, northern parts of Northern Territory and the northeastern parts of Western Australia
Region: Australia: coastal Queensland, northern parts of Northern Territory and the northeastern parts of Western Australia
The Coastal taipan is a large, highly venomous snake of the family Elapidae. It is native to the coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia and the island of New Guinea. According to most LD50 studies, this species is the third-most venomous land snake in the world.
2. Eastern Brown Snake
Region: Australia
Region: Australia
The eastern brown snake is a species of genus Pseudonaja. This snake is considered the second most venomous land snake based on its LD50 value (SC) in mice. It is native to Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
1. Fierce Snake or Inland Taipan
Region: Australia
The Inland Taipan, also known as the Small Scaled Snake and Fierce Snake, is native to Australia and is regarded as the most venomous land snake in the world based on LD50 values in mice. It is a species of taipan belonging to the Elapidae family. Although highly venomous, it is very shy and reclusive, and always prefers to escape from trouble (the word "fierce" from its alternate name describes its venom, not its temperament).
Important note: Most people don’t understand that there is a difference between an organism being venomous or poisonous.
Venomous creatures inject a toxin, usually from an internal gland, while poisonous creatures typically secrete a toxin externally. Hence poisonous creatures are most dangerous when touched or ingested.
