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Most Toxic Snake Bite
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by TeacherJ on September 12, 2006
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We are studying animal classification in my 3rd grade class. One of my students is interested in reptiles, particularly snakes, and wondered what snake would be considered the most venemous snake to humans? In my limited research I have seen statistics regarding the most people bitten/killed by particular snakes, but there is usually a qualifier which notes that some snakes are in closer proximity to humans and therefore, have more opportunity to strike, that some are more aggressive than others, some results are only given in reference to mice, etc. My student's question is, if all things were equal, which snake's venom would be most toxic to humans?
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RE: Most Toxic Snake Bite
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by snakeguy101 on September 12, 2006
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As you have said, it all depends on what you consider deadly. The most potent venom is the sea snakes venom but they are rarely incountered. The rattlesnakes in the midwest are very dangerous because of their proximity to humans but the venom is not as toxic. If you were to ask me, i would have to say that a tiger snake or tiapan is the most deadly snake, i hope this helps. It is great that you are taking time out to research a subject for one of your students, your students must all love you.
best regards,
chris hartmann
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RE: Most Toxic Snake Bite
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by Floridane on September 12, 2006
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The venom thats the most toxic would be the sea krait, however the risk of ever getting bit by one are extremely small because they are not aggressive and their fangs are small, and because you will actually have to dive to encounter them. The lethal dose of venom for an adult human is only 1.5 miligrams and the snake will inject somewhere between 10 to 15 miligrams, that makes this snake 10 times as venomous as a rattlesnake.
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RE: Most Toxic Snake Bite
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by tj on September 12, 2006
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"In my limited research I have seen statistics regarding the most people bitten/killed by particular snakes, but there is usually a qualifier which notes that some snakes are in closer proximity to humans and therefore, have more opportunity to strike"
If you are going by those stats, then echis species, puff adders, certain cobras, and russell's vipers would certainly be on the tops of the list. If not, then I'd say black mambas, bushmasters, taipans, death adders, brown snakes, and certain kraits.
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RE: Most Toxic Snake Bite
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by BGF on September 12, 2006
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Drop for drop it is Oxyuranus microlepidotus (Inland taipan). It is a myth that sea snake or sea krait venom is more toxic. It is not. Both the inland taipan and eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) are more toxic than any sea snake.
Cheers
Bryan
--------
Dr. Bryan Fry
Australian Venom Research Unit
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RE: Most Toxic Snake Bite
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by Chris_Harper on September 12, 2006
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Hey B.Fry,
Did you read that I saw you on TV in Mexico City last week? You and Alexia's voices were overdubbed in spanish. It was pretty humorous to watch, since the actors dubbing your voices were so enthusiastico. ;-)
~CH
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RE: Most Toxic Snake Bite
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by Floridane on September 12, 2006
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Interesting ... I always thought the krait was more venomous than the taipan and brown snake.
Bryan: How does the anti-venom compare between the 3 species krait, brown and taipan? I know that anti-venom for kraits wont save your life in a lot of cases, is it the same with the other two or is it more dependable with them?
Take care
Frank
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RE: Most Toxic Snake Bite
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by BGF on September 14, 2006
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Strange, my reply about the antivenom appears to have disappeared into the either.
Taipan antivenom works well against O. microlepidotus as well as O. scutellatus (both populations, Australia and New Guinea).
Brown snake is much more variable. Overall there are some issues with its ability to neutralise the factor V/factor X complex (which dominates the clinical picture). This becomes a particular problem in Western Australia. To the point that with some of the brown snakes in WA are best avoided (and we do).
CSL sea snake antivenom works very well against not only all true sea snakes but also against sea kraits as well. This is despite these two lineages representing two independent invasions of the ocean, one from Asian stock (sea kraits) and one from Australia (sea snakes). They have convergently streamlined their venoms due to feeding only on one order of animal (fish). The remarkable similarity of the venom is what allows the antivenom to work so well, despite it not working on the myriad of intervening terrestrial lineages. We published a nice paper on this.
That is very funny about the dubbing into Spanish. We saw ourselves on time while in Italy and it was hilarious.
Cheers
B
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