This list presents to you the top 10 most venomous snakes. However, it is important for our understanding that we draw a distinction between poison and venom as two separate entities. While poison is being absorbed by the body through touch etc., venom must be injected directly into the bloodstream or body tissues. We ought to know about these venomous creatures that are capable of causing fatal deaths and casualties. So just check out this list of 10 most venomous snakes:

10. Rattlesnake

Being a part of Pit Viper family, it is usually identified by the rattle on its tail. Interestingly, juveniles are more dangerous than adults as they inject huge quantity of venom into the bloodstream. Some of the common symptoms are difficulty in breathing, paralysis and haemorrhage. The Eastern Diamondback which is found in North America is considered to be the most venomous species of Rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes have hemotoxic venom which blocks the arteries and veins thereby destroying tissues and body organs. Even after effective treatment, one can lose his infected limb due to its venomous bite.

9. Death Adder

Death Adder is commonly found in Australia and New Guinea. Though they look similar to Vipers, they commonly have triangular heads. Death Adder injects over 40-100 mg of venom which can cause respiratory failure and even death within six hours. Interestingly, Death Adder has fatality rate of around 50%. These Death Adders have the quickest strike in the world and can strike repeatedly.

8. Vipers

Vipers are quick tempered and prompt creatures, usually active after rains. They are commonly found in the Middle East including India, China and parts of Asia. The common symptoms of snake bite are bleeding, low blood pressure, swelling of the affected body parts and vomiting. Death from respiratory or cardiac failure can occur within 1-14 days after snake bite.

7. Philippine Cobra

The venom of Philippine cobra is the deadliest of all other species of cobra. Moreover, they are capable of spitting venom up to the distance of 3 metres. The symptoms include headache, nausea, diarrhoea and even dizziness. Despite this, the snake bite can cause respiratory failure and death in thirty minutes as the venom is a neurotoxin.

6. Tiger Snake

Commonly found in Australia, the Tiger snake has neurotoxin venom. The snake strikes with complete accuracy. The snake bite can cause death within 30 minutes. Other symptoms include pain, numbness, difficulty in breathing and paralysis. These snakes are highly variable in terms of their skin colour and bear bands on their skin like that of a tiger. Tiger snakes are more active during warmer nights as they are normally tolerant to low temperatures and climatic conditions.

5. Black Mamba

The Black Mamba is commonly found in several regions of the African continent. Black Mamba is an aggressive and swift creature. Moreover, they are the fastest snakes in the entire world who are capable of travelling a distance of 20 km/hr. Though the snake delivers over 100-200 mg of venom but it can inject up to 400 mg of venom. Some of the symptoms are headache, fever, excessive salivation, double vision etc. A single snake bite can kill 10-25 adults in a row.

4. Taipan

The Taipan is native of Australia which is famed to kill 12,000 guinea pigs in a row. The venom is a potent neurotoxin. Also, the toxic venom clots victim’s blood thereby blocking veins and arteries. Till date, there are no survivors of this snake’s bite and death usually occurs within an hour. The fast-moving Taipans are highly venomous creatures and are usually divided into three categories of species, namely coastal Taipan, inland Taipan and Central Ranges Taipan.

3. Blue Krait

The Blue Krait is usually found in South East Asia and Indonesia. Kraits are nocturnal species which kill other snakes and even other Kraits. Moreover, these snakes are highly active under darkness. The snake’s venom which is a potent neurotoxin is 16 times as venomous as that of a Cobra. Some of the common symptoms of the snake bite include paralysis, damage to the neural system, coma and even death. Fortunately, deaths due to Krait’s bite are rare as Kraits are nocturnal.

2. Eastern Brown Snake

Another entry from Australia, Eastern Brown Snake is one of the most venomous snakes. This snake specie is aggressive and swift which is capable of striking repeatedly. Even juveniles are capable of killing the humans. The snake’s venom is both a neurotoxin as well as blood coagulant. One interesting feature of Eastern Brown Snake is that it only reacts to one’s movement and thus causes no harm if one stands still in case he encounters it in the forests.

1. Inland Taipan   

The fierce snake or the Inland Taipan has the most toxic venom of all the snakes and that’s why deserves the first spot on this list. Interestingly, the maximum yield recorded so far is 110 mg of venom, enough to cause deaths of over 100 humans. It can cause death within 45 minutes after the snake’s bite. They are more popularly known as the fierce snake, small-scaled snake or the western taipan. Unlike other snakes, the venom of the inland taipan is adapted to kill warm-blooded species and that’s why it is primarily a mammal hunter.