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Most Dangerous snakes
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by k2 on April 11, 2010
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Good Day, With regard to the argument which surrounds the question of the worlds deadliest snake, it generally either evolves to the most toxic venom or the ones credited with the highest death tolls. To me neither of these criteria are accurate. Of these 6 snakes (Black Mamba, King Cobra, Bushmaster, Coastal Taipan, Eastern DiamondBack, and Finally the Gabbon Viper) and using the following criteria and allotting 5 points for each (toxicity of venom, vonom yeild per bite, adult size, speed, length of fangs and strike speed and range), Kindly score and rate the six snakes listed above.
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RE: Most Dangerous snakes
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by AquaHerp on April 11, 2010
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Speed, fang length, attitude.....these are all actually moot points. They are all quite harmless until they actually envenomate you. At that point they are all seriously dangerous. It's like asking if you would rather get hit my a train or a semi.
DH
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RE: Most Dangerous snakes
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by earthguy on April 12, 2010
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I see that you are a teacher, so I will try to address your question (which I presume originated from your students). Toxicity of venom and vonom yeild per bite would be good indications of how dangerous a snake would be. Adult size, speed, length of fangs and strike speed and range don't really seem to me to be good indicators. Average temperament (propensity to bite as opposed to retreat) would be an excellent measurement, but more difficult to quantify (although Gibbons and Glaudas did a study with cottonmouths to quantify propensity to bite. Interesting study, but I don't think that you can generalize between Cottonmouths and Taipans, for example). Another good indicator (and an easier one to measure) would be how close the snakes live in proximity to high human population centers (more snakes & people = more likelihood of more bites). Taipans, for example live in areas of low population density, whereas indian cobras are much more likely to wander in to a human dwelling and seek food/shelter. The easier (and it's not really that easy) question would just be "Which snake kills the most people every year?". Without looking it up I would guess the saw-scaled viper. I'm sure somebody here can comment on the toxicity and the venom yield, and I'm certain there are a few keepers here that can attest to the fiery temperament (so I've heard). I just know that they are a pretty potent snake with really good camo living in areas with lots of people.
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RE: Most Dangerous snakes
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by Crotalusssp on April 12, 2010
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Echis I am sure would be a top 2-3 killer of humans due to all the factors Josh mentioned. They are also small and can be overlooked, especially with their camo.
Charles
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RE: Most Dangerous snakes
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by pictigaster1 on April 23, 2010
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Or Bothrops Asper and Bothrops Atrox 2 of the biggest killers in the americas.This question has so many answers as well as none.The most deadly snake period is the one whos fangs enter your skin.As Marty said once dead is dead.As far as world death rates.Russels echis asper arietins may make the top of any list.With a couple species of cobra.
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