What is the most venomous snake?
The inland taipan of Australia is the most venomous snake. Its venom is the most toxic of any land snake in lab tests, but it is shy and has caused very few human deaths.
The inland taipan lives in remote, dry regions of central Australia, where it hunts rats and other small mammals. A single bite carries enough venom to be deadly to many people. Its venom contains toxins that attack the nerves, muscles and blood clotting.
Because it lives far from towns and rarely bites, the inland taipan is not considered the most dangerous snake. Antivenom is available, and no recorded deaths have been confirmed from this species.
The most dangerous snakes
Snakes that cause the most deaths are those that live near people. In South Asia, the Russell's viper, saw-scaled viper, Indian cobra and common krait cause many bites. The World Health Organization estimates that snakebites kill tens of thousands of people a year.
Did You Know?
The most venomous sea snake, the Dubois' sea snake, and other sea snakes have very strong venom, but they rarely bite people.