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Most Dangerous Snake
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You guys are all wrong. The most dangerous snake in the world is my ex-wife.
Posted by
SpaceRat
on March 26, 2005
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Most wary of
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Based on my own experience in Africa.
Black mamba not usually a problem, but preferably a two man job, always bring into open before bagging.
The two snakes that I am wary of are a. Forest cobra, Naja melanoleuca, they have a habit of turning back on themselves very quickly and are very strong, often hooking around a branch, many a time I have let this cobra win the day and let them slide off.
b. Cape cobra, Naja nivea, I rate this the most aggressive cobra, once aroused will stand its ground and rush forward very quickly. They are also very abundant in some areas, you only have to count the roadkills.
Posted by
armata
on July 8, 2004
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pythons and boas
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The most dangerous snakes, I think, itsnt even venomous. Large Pythons and Boas are more dangerous. Toxicity level would be the taipan, but the more bites occur from boas and pythons as pets. People trust their pets to not bite them and are more likely to get bitten because of not paying attention, unlike those of us who deal in venomous and are always careful and pay very close attention to our snakes. I have heared of so many people, and people i know, of being bitten ferosiously by their pythons or boas. But, it also depends on the snake. All snakes have different personalities, some are nice and some are just nasty and not because of the type of snake they are.
Posted by
MichiganHerpatiles
on May 5, 2004
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I'd rather be bit by either one
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realistically, what are your chances of having a run in with either snake? not very good. I would rather be bitten by either one than say, a gaboon viper, russells viper, or even a western diamondback. The hemotoxic effects are totally sick and quite frankly, i'd rather die than end up loosing an arm or a leg; or dying a slow and extremely painful death from internal bleeding.
In my opinion though the most dangerous snake in the world would propably have to be the coastal taipan. they are much more common than the black mamba and are also quite a bit more venomous; and furthermore have more recorded deaths compared to mythical belief. These snakes both are very large venomous snakes and are both known for being very aggressive when provoked. they are both also extremely fast.
hands down though, the coastal taipan gets my vote as being the serpent with the greatest potential to kill you.
Posted by
atomitondroid
on August 14, 2003
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Most venomous snake
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I think it always depends on the circumstances and the severity of the bite. If your in the middle of the jungle and step on a fer-de-lance thasn chances are you going to die however if you get bitten by a coastal tipan, a far more deadly snake, half an hours drive from a hospital that has antitoxins you got a higher chance of survival. As for the three snakes I admire most for the dangers they pose are the inland taipan for the power of its venom, the black mamba for it speed, and the fer-de-lance since it is often mistaken for a young boa and picked up in the wild by hunters and others it then bites, with its venom paraylizing the nervous system in a few hours if not treated.
The most dangerous snake Have seen in the wild is the Green mamba which I saw while on safari in Kenya.
Posted by
hognoseking
on August 12, 2003
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venom toxicity...
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inland tp. hands down most horrible bite to recieve. no venomous reptile comes close to its toxicity.
Posted by
AzrothTenebros
on April 8, 2003
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Blue Coral Snake
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Nothing much worse then being bitten by a snake that there is no antivenim for.
http://www.gov.sg/moh/mohiss/poison/prcoral.html
Posted by
crab
on January 7, 2002
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black mamba
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I noticed someone saying that there is documentation of mambas killing people in less than one minute. Where did that documentation come from? The fastest recorded death from a snakebite is from a black mamba, but not in one minute. It is in fact 9 minutes, and the only reason it was that quick was because it was intra venous. That means that the snake hit an artery and the venom went straight into the blood stream. There is not a venomous creature that can kill a human in less than one minute. The only creature that comes close to that is the australian box jellyfish, which can kill a human in four minutes. It is the most venomous of all living things, land or sea. As far as most dangerous goes, I think everyone forgot the russells viper, that, along with the saw scaled viper, kill more people than any other snakes combined.
WAY MORE than the black mamba, although I am not disputing the toxicity of dendroaspis. It is a very dangerous snake and will stand its ground more than others. And to the guy who said that the mamba is less toxic than the mojave rattlesnake, you need to do some more research. The mojave isn't even the most toxic rattlesnake, C.tigris is (tiger),
it is a neotropical rattlesnake.And although they are very very venomous, probably 20 times that of a mojave, they are still not as potent as black mambas. Sorry for the disputes, but I take great pride in my knowledge of herps, and I have to defend what is documented to what is hearsay or ignorance.
-tj
Posted by
tj
on July 26, 2001
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most dangerous snake
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snakes are snakes.whats with being dangerous.It depends on provocation.Let them be.dont get too close.
Posted by
Anonymous
on May 15, 2001
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it doesnt matter who is the most venomous, whatever bites will sure do DAMAGE!!
Posted by
Anonymous
on May 8, 2001
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dager
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the typan is more venomuse but it is not deliver a huge amont a mamba is only as venomus as a mojave rattler but its venom effect a person more due to its venome composition that make a black mamba more deadly to a human!
Posted by
cTr
on April 26, 2001
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Kraits
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I hear that one has a 50-50 chance of survival from a krait bite even with antivenom. Is that true?
Posted by
Anonymous
on March 26, 2001
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Gold's Tree Cobra
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I have kept a polylepis (11'). I have also kept a couple of Pseudohaje goldii, and a few Naja melanoleuca. Either of the arboreal cobras are, to me, as difficult to handle as the mambas. ~~Greg~~
Posted by
GREGLONGHURST
on February 27, 2001
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dangerous snakes
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For a snake to be considered dangerous it has to have a nasty disposition, come in close proximity to humans, and have a lethal venom. This narrows it down to the saw-scaled viper(excellent cameflouge), black mamba, and crypticly colered snakes that are hard to see(puff adders, gaboon vipers etc.)
-Andrew14
Posted by
lancehead
on February 23, 2001
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another perspective
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I posed this question to a friend of mine who is a S. African wildlife vet. Her response was," The most dangerous animal is the one with the chronically painful injury, infection, parasites, which dispupt its natural behavior." Certainly that's the bear I least want to encounter, and I'll buy that for snakes as well.
Posted by
Cheeseman
on February 23, 2001
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hmmmm
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It is a lot like saying which gun is the most deadly. My vote would be for the ultra - cryptic or hide and ambush types, a good chance that you don't know its an encounter until its over. Saw scales in the sand, kraits in a field, Thai. green vipers in the garden, and even "lowly" copperheads, because they are going to let me put my hand/foot way too close, and they live in close proximity to humans. Bottom line for me is one you DON"T see is most dangerous.
Posted by
Cheeseman
on February 23, 2001
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REAL ENCOUNTERS
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Without a doubt the black mamba is the most dangerous snake in the world . There is a reliable account of a black mamba killing 11 people within 1 min . I know of no other snake that can claim that 'honour' . I am from south africa and i have had the honour of confronting a wild one . Within a split second it adopted its defensive pose . I have had the same experience with cobras but the black mamba experience was absolutely terrifying .
Posted by
Anonymous
on February 8, 2001
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Worst company in the darkness
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The most dangerous snake is the one you fear encountering on a regular basis. In my case, It's B. asper in lowland Costa Rica and Panama. Have you SEEN photos of what that bite looks like?
Posted by
Anonymous
on February 1, 2001
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well......
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Hi all,
It seems that there are a few people responding to this question that would not know what a Taipan is or what a mamba in reality is. I keep Coastal Taipans and I have a fair idea about what their game is but a black Mamba has a completly language.(yes all snakes have languages). I would say for MYSELF a Black Mamba is more Dangerous.
I am glad that I rely on myself when catching snakes...I seem to take risks to other people...but my question to them is have they ever been on the tail of an angry elapid?
Also to the people that say taipans are close but not quite as dangerous as BM's have you handled both?????
Regards,
SCOTT. C .EIPPER
AKA BLACKSNAKE
P.s If you are going to comment on how dangerous something is leave a name...anon postings annoy me.
Posted by
BLACKSNAKE
on January 11, 2001
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Crocs Rule, and so does Steve Irwin!
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"not even close
I have yet to see "spectacular" Steve Irwin or the barefoot bushman freehand an 11 foot wild black mamba ! The only thing you will see are their behinds with the mamba chasing them at 25kph ..
Posted by Anonymous on December 20, 2000"
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Well I have;) In "The Black Mamba," Steve Irwin free handles and bags a large, wild black mamba in Africa. The show was great, you should watch it. I believe it took Steve only about 10 minutes to bag it, and he used no equipments! He sure was sweating though, as the black mamba's venom is deadly.
As for the poll, I reckon Australia's Fierce Snake is the deadliest snake, seeing as it if the most venomous snake in the world;)
By Alex Alban
Springfield, Massachusetts
Posted by
Anonymous
on January 8, 2001
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a better question
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Maybe a better way to have asked this question would be, "Which one would you least like to have to capture and bag in the wild ?"
Posted by
Charper
on January 4, 2001
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dangerous in nature or captivity?
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It's ridiculous to discuss wheather a mamba or a taipan is more dangerous. In wilderness both are hardly ever seen because of their extreme shyness. I have been to central africa a lot of times and have never heard about a black mamba bite. But there are a lot of bites from Bitis and echis.
When discussion about the potence of snake venom you just look at the LD50 list and you know which species ist the Most dangerous one. Not satisfied yet? I can imagine. So another aspect: the Most dangerous snake in captivity where man and snake meet under extreme circumstances. I personally think that Taipans and Black Mambas are extremly dangerous when handled by an unexperienced person. But which Rookie buys one of these snakes? An unexperienced person who plays with these snakes deserves to be bitten. Let's hope noone innocent gets involved. In my opinion more dangerous than Mambas or Taipans are the underestimated ones. How about an angry Forest Cobra or a Naja nigricollis? Or can anobody imagine what fun it must be to put a big Bothrops asper or atrox or intermedius or... who doesn't feel like being good into a bag? The discussion about the Top Ten is a consequence of people's hunt for sensations. Simply the answer cannot be given. Greetings from Germany Walter
Posted by
walter
on January 2, 2001
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All venomous snakes are dangerous, why rank them?
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Snakebite is so subjective due to various factors such as the victim, the snake, the amount of venom injected, the contact the snake has in someones life. I find it useless to define the worlds most venomous snake, because there are so many other factors. Snakebite can be fatal, and some snakes are more capable of this than others. Many snakes have a dreaded reputation, but there are many exceptions to the rule. Having keep many venomous snakes, each specimen has their own personalities, and I would not give my Forest Cobras any less concern than Saw Scale Vipers. They are different snakes, with different types of venom, either is easily capable of killing a human. Venomous snakes should be treated as if every single specimen is capable of a fatal bite. I would not take any more liberty with my Copperheads as I would with any of the much more venomous species. There are too many variables with snakebite, and I don't know if I would be more comfortable being bit by a Coastal Taipan than a Black Mamba, both are extrememly dangerous species. Human suffering and exposure to snakes such as Saw Scale Vipers or Russell's Vipers are epidemic in some regions of the world. These are the snakes most dangerous to people, but there are many snakes from many different regions that are just as deadly. A better question would lead to more precise answers, but the worlds most venomous snake is not something easy to determine. An Inland Taipan is a very dangerous snake, but there are only a few documented case histories, does this make it the worlds most dangerous if nobody encounters it with regularity? Any snake capable of a fatal bite should be treated the same, whether it be a King Cobra, a Western Diamondback or a Copperhead. They will all kill, but the odds dying from a Copperhead is much less than being bit by a five foot Puff Adder. I would assume that many other experienced hot keepers would agree that this title doesn't make the snakes that don't make the list any less dangerous, everyone has their own opinion on the subject, and everyone else has good cases for their choices, but it really doesn't matter. If I get bit by any venomous snake, that is my primary concern, I would feel better with a bite from a young rattlesnake rather than an eight foot Forest Cobra, but both could mean my demise very easily, therefore all venomous snakes in my collection deserve the same respect.
Neil Gushulak
gpherp@westman.wave.ca
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 29, 2000
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The Mamba
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People make an excellent case for Saw Scales, and you can't deny that they are the single biggest killer amoung venomous snakes. However, a person must take into account why the Saw Scale kills so many people. It's partly because it is semi-agressive, but largely because it is so common. A person is far more likely to step on a S. Scale than a mamba when they are out looking for firewood. Also, the people that die from Saw Scales, usually die because there is no antivenin to save them, not because they are better killers than the mamba.
The mamba on the other hand, is much more rare, and its territory is much larger than a Saw Scale. The people who die from Saw Scale bites just happen to step on them, mambas on the other hand are much more difficult to find, and also to miss.
They are both very dangerous snakes, but sheer numbers does not make the Saw Scale more dangerous than a mamba, just more common. Try and picture a world where the mamba is as common as a saw scale.
Posted by
magic_kiwi
on December 27, 2000
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black brown mamba mouse
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The brown mice may seem like a wonderful pet for your child and it is easy to think so because it is so small and looks so innocent .But national geographic journalist Mark Temple has seen the evil side of these creautures .They have been known to eat elephants and wont stop until it a rotting carcass .They have been in the ring with professional wrestlers and have destroyed them .Chopping off heads and they also kill lions and sharks. They are influenced by Mack 10 and Dr Dre and that is where they get their gangster personality .
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 26, 2000
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Black Mamba on paper, Saw Scaled Viper in Reality.
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As an experienced keeper of many venomous snakes (80 specimens)I have not yet had experience with either the Black Mamba or the Taipan. Both snakes are very similiar regarding venom toxicity and yields, and produce life threatening symptoms within minutes of a bite. I would give the edge to the Black Mamba, its large size, fearless temperment and tendency for multiply bites makes it the most dangerous snake. The Taipan deserves almost as much respect, but the most dangerous snake in the world is the one that just bit you.
Of snakes I have currently in captivity, I would say that the Pakistan Saw Scaled Viper (Echis sochureki), the Egyptian Saw Scaled Viper (Echis pyramidum), Puff Adder (Bitis arietans) or the South American Rattlesnake (Crotalus d. terrificus) would all be considered extremely dangerous. I was bitten once by a 17cm, 10g Puff Adder and spent seven days in the hospital, an experience I hope never to repeat. These vipers are among the most dangerous, but I would also include the Russell's Viper (Daobia russelli) and Lancehead (Bothrops asper/atrox) very dangerous. Among elapids, I would consider the Forest Cobra (Naja melanleuca) as dangerous, especially in specimens that are more high strung than Mambas. They are very difficult snakes because of their size, their sometimes aggressive behavior and intellegence.
Black Mamba bites were 100% fatal until antivenom developed in 1969 started to save victims. I would say the Mamba deserves the title, but what about the 30000 fatal Saw Scaled Viper bites annually. This would be the worlds most dangerous, and has the statistics to prove it.
gpherp@westman.wave.ca
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 26, 2000
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Erm..
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Excuse me, is it just me or has anyone seen the movie "Anaconda"?? Those snakes go after boats to eat people and they catch people falloing from waterfalls!!!!!
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 25, 2000
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black mamba
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I would say without a doubt the black mamba. Reports have been made of snakes chasing down cheetahs and killing them for fun, and also reports of black mambas stopping cars and removing entire families from their cars and then lifting the car up in their mouths only to throw it ontop of the family. Pure evil. They have also been said to go into the ocean in search of large great white sharks to challenge.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 25, 2000
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End the vote ?!?!
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Actually, I wouldn't give National Geographic the last say on this topic. Surfers on this forum are primarily comprised of amateur (some of the best in the world) and professional herpetologists. Who better to determine this issue ? There are individuals here that actually keep and handle King Cobras, Black Mambas and Taipans. I value their opinion ! Personally, I think National Geographic should publish our results. -- Chris Harper webmaster@venomousreptiles.org
Posted by
Charper
on December 25, 2000
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most dangerous snake!
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THE KING cobra has been awarded
most dangerous reptile.[national geographic mag]1999
as you know it is not as venomous as some but during breeding and nest guarding
they will kill anyone near.
so end the vote.
you guys were not close!
check it out for yourself!
Posted by
Bud
on December 25, 2000
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Simply put...
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the most dangerous snake is the one that bites or otherwise harms me or mine! SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY, EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION!!!
Posted by
DKT
on December 23, 2000
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My own fears
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There is nothing in the question that gives a setting for this encounter. It doesn't say "encounter in the bush" or "encounter in a lab" so you have to make your own decision about where the encounter is being evaluated from. I think, if all things being equal, that the snake I would least like to meet in a controled environment wouldn't be one that carries a neurotoxic venom, but rather a cytotoxic. Pure laboratory conditions, if you were bit by a neurotoxic snake, you administer antivenin. Maybe you need to go on life support, maybe not. A week or two later, if you didn't expire, your life goes on with next to no lasting effects. Get a bite from a cytotoxic snake, you administer antivenin and go to the hospital. They can't do anything while your limbs turn black and necrotic. After a week or two, you leave the hospital minus a limb or a large portion of muscle and epidermis. I can't imagine watching a leg or part of my face rot off.
Naturally this would change if the environment were one that antivenin was hours or days away. Using my own criteria, the most permanent danger is the one that I would most like to avoid. Death is probably the most permanent. So a neurotoxic snake that bites and administers a poison that kills in a couple of hours, as opposed to turning your body into a black, gooey mess over the space of a couple of days, is the more dangerous. Of the neurotoxic snakes, I would most avoid a black mamba. Everything I have seen of these snakes leads me to believe they are pure hostility. When I walk by the mamba enclosures at work, they strike at the glass more frequently than the saw scales and gaboons do. Sends chills up my spine when I'm not expecting it.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 22, 2000
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most dangerous
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All of the above are good choises. In my research via the web, I'd have to throw in the Gaboon Viper and the bushmaster as well. My understanding is a bite from a Gaboon will result in a horrific death, and the bite from a bushmaster, will result in death more quickly thana taipan with no assurance of having your life saved with anti-venom.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 20, 2000
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Most dangerous
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I gotta tell ya, it seems very strange to me that no one gives a hoot as to what animal is more likely to cause death and or irreversible side effects in the "real world". I truly believe that the "most dangerous" title really shouldn't be based on difficulties in captivity. Really I think it has to do with what you are going to experience after being bitten and what the inevitable outcome will be. A "stand and fight" attitude will always bring on the worse possible out come for the person wishing to capture or protect themselves from, a particular animal. I could give many a situation with mammals that would show that it's not always the most popular or frightening "badboy" that does the most damage. Having said all this I have noticed only one person mention what is most likely THE most dangerous snake in the world TO HUMANS. Throw out the LD 50's and all the rodent tests. My vote would have to go with L. melanocephala, hands down. Why? Cause as a particular expert has noted, it really doesn't always make a difference whether you make it to a hospital or not. Not to take anything away from the Mamba lovers, they are quick and very intelligent, but let's not forget about our friends in the SW part of the globe.
Posted by
Troll
on December 20, 2000
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i agree
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but should point out that john robinson was bitten by an inland taipan, which is far more venemous than its (possible) coastal cousin. in fact the coastal taipan is actually less venemous than the common brown snake but really large fangs and huge venom glands make it deadly.
still, the mamba is king!
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 20, 2000
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taipan shmaipan !
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There is now no doubt in my mind which snake is the most dangerous...
john robinson was bitten by a coastal taipan and was fine without antivenin - our Jack took a hit from a BM and was on life support even after administering antivenin right away - read the bit about how he heard the doctors discussing whether or
not to pull the plug!!!!!!
http://www.nwf.org/nwf/intlwild/mamba.html
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 20, 2000
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not even close
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I have yet to see "spectacular" Steve Irwin or the barefoot bushman freehand an 11 foot wild black mamba ! The only thing you will see are their behinds with the mamba chasing them at 25kph ..
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 20, 2000
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most dangerous?
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I think that the question allows for too many variables i.e. is anti-venin available, is the snake in a good mood at the time etc. All things equal, if I had to spend a day in a room with a snake of my choice then the black mamba would be the last on my list. At least there's a chance that the taipan MIGHT be placid, whereas with the mamba I'm not so sure.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 20, 2000
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Blackheaded Python
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I vote for the one that killed Steve Erwin during a short FedEx commercial
Posted by
enviroherp
on December 19, 2000
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Interesting Observations
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It's interesting that the people who responded to this pole, and bothered to elaborate on their vote, voted primarily for the snakes that they have experience with. It seems to me that if I say,"I'm from Asia, and the saw scale kills most Asians. Therefore the saw scale is the most dangerous." it is completely a subjective and suspect vote. I keep rattlesnakes so they are the most dangerous?
I feel that the black mamba is the most dangerous. I can see a case for the costal taipan, but the mamba edges it. The mamba's speed, aggresiveness, and just meaness make it more dangerous. A lot of people say the mamba is unpredictable, it isn't. If it can bite you, it will... The first time I went to Africa we drove through an area the guide said had lots of mambas. When we got out of the Jeep, there was a dead mamba with his teeth sunk into a tent that was tied to the rear of the vehicle.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 18, 2000
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Saw Scales Kill the most people every year to me that tells me they are the most dangerous to encounter
Posted by
tropidolaemus
on December 17, 2000
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most dagerous
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bushmaster because of temperment, size, and volumn of venom. and lets not forget speed and agility
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 17, 2000
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B. asper
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I would think a large (6-7 ft.) B. asper would give anyone a run for their money!
Posted by
Johnny5
on December 14, 2000
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Not a ven...
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A constrictor that's large enough to consider me as potential food would be my idea of "least like to meet on a dark night". I had a real fun time catching a 3.5m retic in Sulawesi this summer, despite being non-ven and too small to do any *serious* damage it seemed quite convinced of it's own ability to kick my ass if I wanted to get too close (a 1m juvenile also showed the same attitude, albeit more laughably). Somerthing like this of 7m+ would be about as much fun to deal with as a lion. Thats my thought on the subject anyhow, something thats aggressively defensive isn't as intimidating to me as something that just reckons it might try and eat me.
Posted by
BloodyStudent
on December 13, 2000
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most frightening to encounter
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Both the taipan and the black mamba are fast, have highly toxic venom, known to be aggressive and often have a real attitude. Others also fit this model, but I believe the black mamba is a tiny bit more scary. It comes down to whether you want to be run over by a sedan or an SUV. Neither, Thanks
Rev. Joe Stahlkuppe
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 13, 2000
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mamba vrs. taipan-which is the most dangerous
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I would have to say that I believe the difference between the mamba and the taipan,as far as which one is the more dangerous,is like saying,which will kill you faster-a 45 automatic or a 45 colt?swampthing
Posted by
swampthing
on December 12, 2000
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interesting...
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I would say the black mamba is the most dangerous. Prior to antivenin the mortality rate was close to 100%. Mamba venom is also absorbed very rapidly; symptoms from a lethal bite may appear within 10 minutes. Also, their fangs, though not as large as the taipans, are large for elapids. Moreover, they are RIGHT under the nostril
and point slightly forward--like a stiletto.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 11, 2000
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Most Dangerous
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I have to agree with Scott, Taipans can be moody animals, generally not too much trouble, but if you catch them on a bad day, you are FAR safer just to lock the cage back down and come back tomorrow.
I have also kept polylepis, a couple of them over 11 feet and they were much the same way. Some days they didn't seem to mind the intrusion too much, other days they were determined to see me pushing up daisies.
The mambas, being partially arboreal, are more prone to psychotic acrobatics off of a hook with their mouths open and fangs dripping, but an upset taipan seems more downright psycho and will chase and bite anything that moves.
all in all I'd have to say the black mamba is easier to upset and probably a little harder to control.
this is just what I've seen in my experience, which is very limited with coastal taipans but I've had quite a few papuan taipans (O. s. canni) and quite a few polylepis in my time.
-LL
Posted by
venom
on December 10, 2000
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Most Dangerous Snake
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In my opinion the most dangerous snake has to have 4 important qualities. A very potent venom, an aggressive behavior, the ability to deliver large amounts of toxin, and frequents close encounters with people. This equals the Black Mamba and Puff Adder in Africa , Saw Scale Viper and Russels Viper in Asia and King Brown in Australia.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 10, 2000
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Pans, and others
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I personally keep Coastal Taipans....and most of the time they fairly good....a bit nervous when you open the door but thats just like a brown snake.
However if you open there cage on a bad scale day.....shut it a come back tomarrow...They move at an amazing speed, and biting everything that moves.These snakes can strike the length of their body..not a normal range for an elapid.
As for venom....the Coastal Taipan roughly give you about 80-100mgs per bite. They are about 3 times more deadly than a black mamba.
Quality of the antivenom, the yield, fang length, the venom toxicity and how often it comes into contact with humans are the factors needed to work out how dangerous these snakes are.
big yield (for an elapid), good quality antivenom which is most effective as soon as you reach the hospital...before most over the neurotoxinsare in full swing, they have the longest fangs of any elapid to my knowledge with the longest fangs about 13 mm, that are right at the front of the mouth....they do slighty rotate their fangs, they very toxic snakes ...not as toxic as a brown or an inland.
Taipans are very shy snakes...as soon as they sense some one coming they tend to retreat...however if you have a cornered Taipan I hope you have your last will and testement cause chances are you might be meeting that bloke upstairs.
Just a note...I can't really comment about the snakes I don't keep....I am sure mambas also have their days.
Scott Eipper
P.s. 2 people survived a Coastal bite pre antivenom...one a long distance runner and another a yards man . Both men where big in physical size and fit....also they only coped one fang.
Posted by
BLACKSNAKE
on December 9, 2000
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Taipans and Mambas.
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The Coastal Taipan had a higher percentage kill rate than any other species prior to development of a specific antivenom(would have been 100% but for a single recovery). Like mambas, they are fast moving, often very bold, will defend themselves vigorously and deliver large quantities (for elapids) of very potent venom. Inland Taipans are potentially even more dangerous but because they live in very sparsely populated areas the few bites recorded have all been since Taipan Antivenom became available. Taipans and Black Mambas kill a greater percentage of humans they bite than any cobra, however Indian Cobras kill large numbers of humans each year, reflecting the high number of people bitten. Several sea snakes have more potent venoms than either of these snakes but the low yield and poor delivery system mean that the prognosis for those bitten is infinitely better.
Other taxa, eg Lachesis, Ophiophagus, are also worthy of consideration.
A further factor is the effectiveness of available antivenoms for the respective species. Some antivenoms are not as effective as others. Even with a non fatal outcome on going sequelae such as renal failure are found in people bitten by Australian elapids, particularly Taipans.
The most dangerous snake? Well the answer depends on the parameters you set. If you mean species which because of their nature and agility, coupled with virtually 100% kill rate before the availability of antivenom it would be the Taipan by a wisker.
Posted by
Millar
on December 9, 2000
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Most Dangerous?
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I have been thinking about this a lot and I seriously think that none of the US snakes fall into this definition of "most dangerous."
However, it would appear that certain branches of the government disagree with me. In Texas and Georgia and several other states the rattlesnake (various subspecies) is considered to be so dangerous that it is rounded up and destroyed by the thousands annually. Oddly enough, there is no corresponding "round up" for cottonmouths (A. piscivorous ssp) although, by most uninformed accounts, they are the most aggressive snake in the world (every bit as innaccurate as any other reason for a round up).
The US government is also trying to erradicate the Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) from its territory of Guam with somewhat questionable results. The Brown Tree Snake is truly not all that dangerous to encounter but is touted as the environmental impact which can and will destroy the island paradises of the south pacific islands. I just thought that these two types of snakes which are apparently dangerous enough to have incurred the wrath of Uncle Sam should get an honorable mention.
Been to Guam, been to Texas, live in Georgia and still somehow I survive. I was actually worried the most about accidentally (unprepared) encountering a spitting cobra in Singapore...(sorry so long) Karl
Posted by
Buzztail1
on December 9, 2000
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Scared by snakes?
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Assuming I can see the Mamba or the Taipan... I'd be more frightened by a venomous snake that I couldn't see until I was in a compromising situation.
Posted by
TomT
on December 8, 2000
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Black Mamba
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In my collection, I have many snakes from different species of small Crotalus viridis to my 6 1/2 foot C.adamteus. I have several elapids as well including spitters and monocles. Of all my snakes, the only one that really is difficult to handle is my 7 foot Dendroaspis viridis. This thing moves so fast that you CAN'T keep him on a hook. From what I have heard, the polylepis are not only bigger and meaner, but faster and stronger as well. This has discouraged me from keeping this species as I don't believe I want to take on that large a responsibility yet. As far as in captivity, I would think that they are among the most dangerous species.
Vanyul
Posted by
Vanyul
on December 7, 2000
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The snake that scares me most...
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Is the one that I can't see... so encountering any venomous species in the dark, under debris, or hidden along a trail would bother me no matter what the species, if I didn't see it. A good friend was bitten (Dry bite, thank God) by a Canebrake while flipping tin.... think about that one the next time you reach your fingers under the edge of a piece of tin......
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 7, 2000
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Since the question was what would I least like to come in contact with, I voted for the mamba (due to their aggressive tendancies, potent venome, and my limited elapid experience). In general though, I would agree with some of the others here in terms of actual public threat - the puff adder or saw scale would get my vote.
Ryan
Posted by
RYANW
on December 6, 2000
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Sorry that I forgot to log in
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Last post was mine. So that you have a name with the vote.
Posted by
ELAPIDAE1479
on December 6, 2000
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Most Dangerous
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I belive that is would have say the puff adder. Being so wide spread though-out Africa. Large fangs and highly toxic venom. I would probally follow him with the Fed-de-lance and the saw-scale viper. As most of us know its not as much the toxicity of the snake but how much it comes in contact with people.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 6, 2000
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Most dangerous snake
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The Saw Scaled Viper. A small snake with a mean toxin that resides in densly populated areas with a large barefoot population. Most
dagerous does not mean most venomous.
Posted by
Indianaherp
on December 6, 2000
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WORLDS MOST DEADLY SNAKE
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THE SEA SNAKE IS THE MOST DEADLY SNAKE IN THE WORLD.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 6, 2000
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anonymous
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In my opinion just b/c they snake has advantage of a wide range and ventures close to human populations more frequently and has a larger death toll doesn't make it the most dangerous. It really depends on how the word dangerous is defined as to the answer of the question. When I think of dangerous I think of the snakes I would be most fearful of owning and that would have to be the black mamba or king cobra and I hear pretty bad things about the foest cobra. I have no experience nor will I ever w/ these snakes. I would have to say my monacled cobra with a lock box is about as much as I want to handle or the terrificus I had if it had been an adult.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 6, 2000
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Definition
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When we say "most dangerous", we mean the one that is most dangerous to encounter - not the one that kills the most people.
webmaster
Posted by
Charper
on December 6, 2000
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Most dangerous snake
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My opinion is concerning the most dangerous snake to keep in captivity. Although I have not worked with all, I have worked with many of the worlds "worst" venomous snakes. Hands down the Black Mamba is the most difficult to handle short of using a trapbox exclusively. In my opinion a 13ft. King Cobra or a 7 foot Taipan are much easier to hook/tail, tong, or otherwise try to manuever than a 7 foot polylepis. Although the "snake that bit you" is the most dangerous at that time, I would definitely encourage all but the most confident and skillful keepers to avoid Blacks. Also, in my experience, large Bothrops ie. Bothrops asper can almost impossible to work. This is another species which requires plenty of room to "dance" if the snake is feeling too spunky!! The irony of this is that keepers who keep Blacks and other large agile venomous are probably never going to get nailed by them, rather the 3 foot Crotalus atrox that is "not too bad" is going to be the one that delivers the bite.
Mardi Snipes
Posted by
atheris
on December 6, 2000
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Most dangerous snake
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I believe we're looking for the snake with the "best" combination of high venom toxicity, aggressiveness, dense populations, and a close proximity to humans. I think the nod goes to either the saw scale viper or the Russell's viper.
The world's worst LD50 doesn't mean a thing if the snake never comes into contact with humans.
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 5, 2000
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hmmmmmm
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the one that kills you. ask the 30+ thousand people a year who are bitten by N.naja and monocles what snake is the most dangerous. personally i feel much more comfortable working with a 10 ft O.hannah whos pissed than a 6 ft edb whos pissed, get my drift. i would say that no one snake is the "most dangerous" it depends on the animal, as well as the keeper. plus puff adders, saw scales, B.atrox, and N.naja lead the world in death tolls each year in the serpent world, so i definately would not throw them out of the running for most dangerous. hope to see you guys soon,
jared w
Posted by
Anonymous
on December 5, 2000
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saw scaled viper or inland taipan!
Posted by
BushMaster
on December 5, 2000
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most dangerous snake
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The most dangerous snake,in my opinion,is the species that kill the most people.The most venomous snake is a different issue-at least to my mind.In my opinion,the saw-scaled viper,russel's viper,krait,australian brown snake,are the most dangerous,with the nod going to the saw-scaled viper.
Posted by
swampthing
on December 5, 2000
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other
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I would say that the Crotalids (specifically Durissus), because of their aggression, venom qualities, and their ability to almost bite the back of their own head.
Posted by
Amabilis
on December 5, 2000
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