Top 10 Deadliest Snakes in the World: Venom, Bites and Beauty

Ever experience the thrill or fear in your body when you hear the word “snake”? This ophidiophobia may cover you up in our journey to the top 10 deadliest snakes in the world. People ae enough scared of snakes because venomous snakes annually bite more than 5.4 million people, which results in 138,000 deaths (WHO).

Don’t judge them with their small size as many species of snakes (being small) are venomous more than you think! Get ready as we are going to take you deep down into the frightening world of these deadliest species, where you will meet with just a few ones from 3000 different types of snakes!

1. Inland Taipan

Without any doubt, inland taipan is the most venomous and the deadliest snake, standing first in our list of top 10 deadliest snakes in the world. It is enough venomous that a single bite transfers 44 – 110 mg of venom inside the victim’s body, which is sufficient to immediately kill 289 individuals within just 45 minutes.

This full-of-danger snake is commonly found in Australia with an estimated population of 200,000 individuals.  Its body is brownish yellow colored which can be dark brown too, depending upon season. However, its back and sides can have any shade of brown and grey with blackish touch.

2. Coastal Taipan

Coastal taipan ranks second in the top 10 deadliest snakes in the world due to its high speed and venomous bite, killing around 56 people by injecting 100 – 400 mg of venom. Very serious health issues rise if one gets bitten by this snake including respiratory paralysis or kidney injury.

It has long and slim body in light olive to dark brown color with reddish eyes. It is mostly seen in Australia, where it is also known as “common taipan”. Population of coastal taipan is 2,000 – 3,000 individuals with very terrifying reputation.

3. Eastern Brown Snake

Although rarest, yet this snake species ranks high in top 10 poisonous snakes in the world. Being the 3rd most venomous land snake in the world, it is witnessed across the eastern and central Australia with a lifetime of 7 years.

They are responsible for more human deaths (in Australia) than any other snake due to its camouflage.  Its single bite contains 5 – 75 mg of venom, which can alter the ability of blood to clot. Instant internal bleeding and cardiac problems are some of the most common symptoms which appear before death.

4. Black Mamba

Black mamba, commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa is considered to be one of the most venomous snakes in Africa. With 100 – 400 mg venom per bite, they bite more than once in single attempt. Within just 6 – 14 hours after bite, victim gets expired due to its strong venom.

The black mamba is considered as the longest (14 ft.) and fastest (12.5 miles per hour) snake in the world. They have light grey or brown colored appearance. However, they are bluish black inside the mouth, which gives them the name “black” mamba. Learn more about this iconic serpent and efforts to conserve its habitat at the website of the African Snakebite Institute.

5. Saw-scaled Viper

One of the important part of our list of top 10 deadliest snakes in the world is saw-scaled viper. It is commonly found in Middle East, some parts of Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. They are able to produce a sharp sizzling sound to create threat by rubbing their bodies.

Their body color along with brown scales blends them well with sandy environments. Although they are small in size (30 – 70 cm), yet they are very venomous and aggressive as they are capable of injecting 70 mg of venom per bite. They are responsible for more than 5000 annual deaths only in India.

6. Russell’s Viper

Being 4 – 6 ft, Russell’s viper has a round and thick body with a short tail. It has yellowish colored skin with dark brown spots, each having white or yellow border. They are commonly found in the open grasslands across the Indian subcontinent.

Russell’s viper is responsible to kill majority of people in Sri Lanka, Burma, and India when compared to any other snake. It can kill 22 persons in its single bite. This snake injects 130 – 250 mg venom per bite, causing swelling and bleeding immediately and death within few hours.

7. Tiger Snake

The eastern tiger snake gets its name due to its similar look with tiger due to its black and yellow scales. This thick and solid-bodied snake has length of 1.5 m. With their grey-brown colored appearance, they are commonly witnessed in southeast Australia.

Even rarest, yet they are considered to be one of the most dangerous and biggest snakes in the world. Their venom is highly potent, which can result in excruciating pain, tingling, numbness, and if remain uncured, breathing difficulties and paralysis too. Witness these fascinating snakes and their role in Australian ecosystems at the website of the Australian Museum.

8. Boomslang

Boomslang is an important part of our list of top 10 deadliest snakes in the world which lives in trees in Botswana, Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Being large and extremely venomous snake, it has very unique features such as large eyes with lively colored bodies (Green, brown and blue) along with egg-shaped head.

Don’t get defeated by its charming look because its bite is incredibly potent with 1 – 8 mg venom per bite. Instead of spraying venom, boomslang chews on its prey. If someone gets boomslang’s bite, it is necessary to seek medical attention, otherwise it can stop blood from coagulating, which results in internal bleeding, leading to death.

9. Fer-de-Lance

Fer-de-Lance is one of the most lethal and aggressive snakes in the world, transferring 500 -1500 mg venom in a single bite (enough to kill 6 people)! It is mostly witnessed in South and Central America, Mexico and Brazil, where it is responsible for a large number of deaths. It is 4 – 7 ft. in length with 10 – 13 pounds average weight.

Fer-de-Lance has a large flattened head with long, brown-colored body having whitish yellow touch on ventral side. Its bite causes deaths which is initiated by a brain hemorrhage. Its victim faces severe necrosis, which turns the body tissues into black.

10. Banded Krait

Banded krait completes our list of the top 10 deadliest snakes in the world with its distinct appearance. It has black and yellow cross-bands, which cover its long body (average 2.1 m). Its eyes are black, head (black) is broad with yellow lips, chin, and throat, and finger-tipped short tail.

Mostly it is observed in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and southern China. With an extremely deadly venom (20 -114 mg), it can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness and paralysis of respiratory muscles. In case of no treatment, venom prevents the diaphragm from moving, resulting in death.

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