Introducing the most venomous snake in the world and epic predator of the Australian outback! The inland taipan is otherwise known as the fierce snake or small scaled snake. They can be marvelled at in our Robert's Reptile House, right here at Australia Zoo.
The inland or western taipan, Oxyuranus microlepidotus, is the most venomous snake in the world, according to Britannica. Native to Australia, this snake has the deadliest venom based on median lethal dose, or LD50, tests on mice.
However according to statistics released by the National Coronial Information Service, eastern browns are responsible for the majority of snake bite deaths. Up to 65 per cent of fatalities between 2000 and 2016 were attributed to the venomous species, which is found across most of eastern Australia.
All three snakes are known for being incredibly deadly, and the task had everyone's hearts racing as each snake was revealed from the bags. The Milk Off made the Coastal Taipan victorious at a massive 2.4 grams of venom, while the King Brown came second at 1.6 grams and the Tiger Snake came third with 0.2 grams.
The killer of the most people
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) may be the deadliest of all snakes, since scientists believe it to be responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined.
The Coastal Taipan is often regarded as the most dangerous snake in Australia. They are extremely nervous and alert snakes, and any movement near them is likely to trigger an attack.
Some 100 Australian snakes are venomous, although only 12 are likely to inflict a wound that could kill you. The most dangerous snakes belong to the front-fanged group, which in New South Wales include the tiger snake, brown snake, death adder, mulga or king brown snake and a few species of sea snake.
Utilising their outstanding camouflage abilities, death adders will lie in wait for any unsuspecting prey that passes by, such as mammals, birds and reptiles. By wiggling the end of their tail, they entice prey in close enough for their rapid strike, the fastest of any Australian snake!
The scrub python is found throughout the tropical rainforests of far north Queensland, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. They are the largest snake species to call Australia home. They can reach up to 8 metres (26 feet) long and weigh in excess of 25 kilograms (55 pounds)!
We have noted at Walkabout Park that most kangaroos bitten by snakes are hand-raised kangaroos. We have seen a disproportionately larger number of hand-raised kangaroos bitten, relative to wild raised kangaroos.
South Australia
Most of the venomous tend to be in this area. This is because it receives large amounts of sun but at the same time allows for enough cover for protection. The Tiger snake is a species that represent South Australia.
Brazil is the country with the largest number of species of snakes in the world. But do you know that there is a country in the world where there are no snakes? You read it right. Ireland is one country completely devoid of snakes.
Some fun facts about the Black Mamba:
They are some of the world's fastest snakes and are capable of speeds of more than 12 miles (19 km) per hour and hence will be the one which can kill the fastest. In the wild, a black mamba can live for up to 11 years.
Although it's called the eastern brown snake, it's found in a range of colours – from pale brown to black – and has a creamy yellow underside. It's considered the world's second-most venomous land snake and is responsible for about 60% of snakebite deaths in Australia.
We repeat, move away from the snake. That means don't walk up to it, poke it with a stick, try to pick it up, etc. We recommend retreating a safe distance away but keeping an eye on the snake. If you can, use your camera or smartphone's zoom to snap a quick picture of the snake.
54 However there are no native boa species in Australia and it is extremely unlikely that Yellow Anacondas could hybridise with pythons or any other Australian snake species.
Before we get to the fun bit, we should note that black mambas are from Africa and inland taipans are from Australia. This means under natural circumstances, the two species would never meet.
1. Green Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis punculata) – this non-venomous snake is quite commonplace in Australia, and can be found in areas where there is thick vegetation.
Kookaburras. What is this? Kookaburras, native to Australia, have a lot of choices when it comes to food. They eat snakes, and luckily for them, Australia is home to loads of different species of snakes!
Some snakes such as eastern brown snakes are active during the day, others prefer to hunt in the evening, while some species are more active at night during the hotter months. Many snakes have excellent eyesight, but it's not usually the main sense they rely on when hunting.
GREEN TREE SNAKE
This is a slender, large eyed non-venomous snake found along the east coast of Australia and Papua New Guinea. This common snake is harmless and easily recognised with a slender body and tail. Often pale yellow on the throat and belly and green to olive green to black on the back.
The American corn snake is a prohibited invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014. You must not keep, feed, move, give away, sell or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
Never try to catch or kill a snake yourself. This is when most bites happen. Remember that even little snakes can be dangerous. Baby brown snakes have venom from the time they hatch.