When it comes to the deadliest snake venoms, there are a few key factors to consider: the toxicity of the venom, the amount of venom yield per bite, and the snake’s size and temperament. Based on these criteria, the following snakes are considered to have the most potent and dangerous venoms.
Inland Taipan
The inland taipan, found in Australia, is widely considered to have the most toxic venom of any snake in the world. Its venom is highly neurotoxic and can cause paralysis, uncontrollable bleeding, and cardiac arrest within minutes of a bite. Just a single drop of inland taipan venom contains enough toxins to kill over 100 adult humans.
Toxicity
Inland taipan venom has an LD50 rating of 0.025 mg/kg, making it the most toxic snake venom tested. The LD50 rating measures the dose required to kill 50 percent of test animals like mice. This extremely low LD50 rating means the venom is staggeringly poisonous.
Venom Yield
Fortunately, the inland taipan delivers only a small amount of venom per bite, averaging 44 mg. Despite the small yield, this is often enough to kill an adult human many times over.
Size and Temperament
Inland taipans average around 6 feet (1.8 m) long. They are shy and reclusive snakes that prefer to avoid humans. Bites generally only occur if they are stepped on or cornered.
Eastern Brown Snake
Found along the coast and interior regions of Australia, the eastern brown snake is considered the second most venomous land snake in the world. Its venom contains toxins that interrupt blood coagulation and cause uncontrollable bleeding.
Toxicity
Eastern brown snake venom has an LD50 of 0.053 mg/kg, making it almost as toxic as inland taipan venom.
Venom Yield
Eastern brown snakes deliver a high amount of venom when they bite, averaging 110 mg. This large yield makes their bites extremely dangerous, even though the venom itself is slightly less toxic than the inland taipan’s.
Size and Temperament
Eastern brown snakes average about 5 feet (1.5 m) in length. They are fast moving and highly aggressive when encountered.
Western Diamond Back Rattlesnake
The western diamondback rattlesnake, found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, has highly toxic venom containing hemotoxins that destroy blood cells and tissue.
Toxicity
Western diamondback venom has an LD50 of 0.12 mg/kg, making it extremely poisonous but slightly less so than inland taipan or eastern brown snake venom.
Venom Yield
Western diamondbacks deliver a large venom yield, averaging 350-450 mg per bite. This means envenomation is severe.
Size and Temperament
Adult western diamondbacks average about 5 feet (1.5 m) long. They tend to be more docile than eastern brown snakes but will defend themselves vigorously if threatened.
Dubois’ Sea Snake
This highly venomous sea snake is found in the tropical coral reefs and coastal waters of Australia and New Guinea. Its venom contains powerful neurotoxins.
Toxicity
Dubois’ sea snake venom has an LD50 of 0.044 mg/kg according to some studies, making it almost as toxic as inland taipan venom.
Venom Yield
The venom yield per bite is unknown but may be less than land snakes since sea snakes have much smaller fangs.
Size and Temperament
Adult Dubois’ sea snakes reach about 3 feet (1 m) in length. They are typically not aggressive, but envenomations can occur from stepping on them accidentally.
Conclusion
Based on the extreme toxicity and rapid lethality of its venom, the inland taipan has the “deadliest” snake venom overall. However, the eastern brown snake and western diamondback also have highly toxic venoms capable of killing untreated humans in just hours. Sea snakes like Dubois’ sea snake have venom just as toxic as land snakes but deliver smaller venom yields. Ultimately, all these snakes should be given a very wide berth if encountered in the wild.