Most Venomous Snakes in the World

Snakes are included in the category of reptiles. There are around 3,600 species of snakes spread all over the world, out of which about 400 species are known to be venomous. A venomous snake has highly-specialized teeth such as hollow fangs, through which it delivers the venom. It is meant for self-defense and prey immobilization.

There are three types of venom, neurotoxic, hemotoxic, and myotoxic. Some of the most venomous snakes in the world are the Taipan, Krait, Philippine cobra, King cobra, Russell's viper, Black Mamba, yellow-jawed tommygoff, Western Brown Snake, tiger snake, and banded sea-snake.

It is one of the most venomous and deadliest snakes in the world. There are three main sub-species of Taipan which are Papuan Taipan (Oxyuranus s. canni), Western or Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus Microlepidotus) or (Fierce Snake), and Common or Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus Scutellatus). The Taipan is found in Australia and New Guinea.

Fierce snake or Inland Taipan is more toxic as compared to Papuan Taipan and Coastal Taipan. Inland Taipan is olive or brown in appearance, with a uniformly-black head or black marking on the head. Its habitat is grasslands and dry plains.

Common or Coastal Taipan is dark or light-brown in color with a paler shade on the sides and underside and lightly-keeled scales. It is about 6 ft in length. It is found in the open woodlands and forests.

This highly-poisonous snake is found in Asia. It appears black or bluish-black in color with white narrow cross-bands and a narrow head. Its average length is about 90 cm. It is more active at night than during the day. It is 15 times more deadly than the common cobra. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin which causes respiratory failure.

This is the world's largest venomous snake. Its average length is about 3.5 meters and can be a maximum of 5.5 meters long. It appears uniformly-brown, olive, or green in color with black cross-bands. The King Cobra is commonly found in Southern China, Thailand, Philippines, South India, and the Malaysian Peninsula. Its venom is a neurotoxin type.

Russell's viper is more commonly found in India, Sri Lanka, the Malaysian Peninsula, Southern China, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the surrounding islands. It has a light-brown body with three rows of black or brown splotches and a white or yellow border. Its average length is about 1 meter.

It is responsible for relatively more human deaths than any other types of venomous snakes. While attacking, it coils tightly, hisses, and strikes with such a high speed that its victim gets little chance to escape. Its venom is of the hemotoxin type, which is a powerful coagulant, causing damage to blood cells and tissues.

This is Africa's most-feared venomous snake. It is found in Africa's open woodlands and African savannas. It is highly-toxic and notoriously aggressive. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin. It appears uniformly-black or brown.

Its average length is about 4.3 meters. Its mouth has a black internal lining. It is known as the world's fastest land snake with a top speed of 16-19 km/hr.

It is olive or dark-brown in color with an olive or yellowish belly and cross-bands. Its subspecies are found in Victoria and Tasmania and it is uniformly-black. Its average length is about 1.2 to 1.8 meters. It is one of the most venomous snakes found in Australia. It is also found in New Guinea, Tasmania, and Bass Strait Islands.

Its venom is a potent neurotoxin that affects the central nervous system. It produces venom in high quantities, with an average yield of about 35 mg to 180 mg.

It is found in the grasslands, forests, deserts, and gravelly plains. It is a native of Australia. It has a narrow black head and black neck. It may be black or light brown in color with narrow dark crossbars or a series of lighter bands around the body. It is about 1.5 meters in length. Its venom is neurotoxic.

A bite of a venomous snake quickly affects different organs including the lungs, heart, central nervous system, red blood cells, and muscles. Thus, it is better to steer clear of these snakes and not make them feel threatened, which will cause them to attack.