Serpents are among the most feared creatures on the earth. From Titanoboa (largest, extinct) to thread snakes (smallest), all are terrific and terrifying. But what concerns most are their venoms.

There are many types of venomous snakes worldwide that can cause severe bites in humans.  Although not all snakes are venomous, some can create substantial issues. 

These snakes have venom that they may inject through specialized fangs to subdue their victim. These venomous snakes are dreaded throughout the world.

Table of Contents

1. Inland Taipan

Inland Taipan in Australia
Inland Taipan in Australia | Image Credit – Pixabay
NameInland Taipan
Length (Max)8.2 feet
Found InQueesland and South Australia
Venom Toxicity after biteParlysis, Kidney failure and Cardiac complications

The inland taipan, also called the western taipan, small-scaled or tough snake is a highly venomous snake belonging to the Elapidae family.

Along with coastal taipans native to Australasia, taipans are enormous, fast-moving, and highly venomous. According to the median lethal dose value in mice, the inland taipan venom is significantly more poisonous than sea snakes.

When tested on human heart cell culture, it has the most toxic venom of any reptile. One bite is thought to be poisonous enough to kill at least 100 fully grown humans.

2. Dubois’ sea snake

Dubois sea snake
Dubois sea snake | Image Credit – Flickr
NameDobois sea snake
Length (Max)3.6 feet
Found InPapua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Coral Sea, Arafura Sea, Timor Sea, and Australian coasts
Venom Toxicity after bite

Aipysurus Duboisii is a poisonous sea snake that is also known as the Dubois’ sea snake or the reef shallows sea snake. 

Its geographic range encompasses Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Coral Sea, Arafura Sea, Timor Sea, and the western, eastern, and northern coasts of Australia. 

These snakes grow up to 110 cm (3.6 feet) in length eat moray eels and other seafloor-dwelling creatures. They are moderately aggressive, meaning they will bite if provoked but not independently. 

The venom yield is 0.43 mg, and the fangs are 1.8 mm long, short for a snake. It is the world’s most venomous sea snake and one of the top three most venomous snakes.

The acute toxicity of snake venom is traditionally assessed using laboratory animals and expressed as the median lethal dose (LD50), defined as the dose required to kill half of a population split by the weight of the tested animal.

3. Eastern brown snake

Eastern Brown Snake
Eastern Brown Snake | Image Credit – Flickr
NameEastern brown snake
Length (Max)1.5 – 2 m
Found InAustralia, Papua new guinea
Venom Toxicity after biteNeurotoxin, procoagulant

The common brown snake is one of Australia’s most distinctive snakes. These short, stocky snakes resemble Vipers. 

However, Vipers do not exist in Australia. They usually have bronze, orange, or brown bars across their bodies. It is the world’s second-most poisonous land snake after the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus). 

Eastern brown snake has caused around 60% of human snakebite deaths in Australia, due to its LD50 value (subcutaneous) in mice. 

The World Health Organization organize it as a snake of medicinal relevance. Brown snakes, as a genus, were responsible for 41 percent of all snakebite victims in Australia between 2005 and 2015, as well as 15 of the 19 deaths.

Coagulopathy, hemorrhage (bleeding), cardiovascular collapse, and cardiac arrest are the significant consequences of its venom on the circulatory system. 

The prothrombinase complex Pseutarin-C, which breaks down prothrombin, is one of the critical components of the venom.

4. Yellow-bellied sea snake

Yellow-bellied sea snake
Yellow-bellied sea snake | Image Credit – Flickr
NameYellow-bellied sea snake   (Hydrophis platurus)
Length (Max)35 inches
Found InTropical marine seas expect Atlantic Ocean
Venom Toxicity after biteNeurotoxins, isotoxins

Except for the Atlantic Ocean, the yellow-bellied sea snake is a venomous species of snake belonging to the Hydrophiinae subfamily that can be found in tropical marine seas worldwide. 

It was once thought to belong to the monotypic genus Pelamis, but recent DNA data suggests it belongs to the genus Hydrophis. The venom of this species, like that of other sea snakes, is potent. 

The venom’s subcutaneous LD50 is 0.067 mg/kg, with a venom yield of 1.0–4.0 mg per bite. The venom of the yellow-bellied sea snake comprises several neurotoxins and two additional isotoxins.

5. Peron’s sea snake

Hydrophis Peronii | Video Credit – thanh nguyen van
NamePeron’s sea snake (Hydrophis Peronii)
Length (Max)Upto 4 ft
Found InWestern tropical pacific ocean
Venom Toxicity after biteNeurotoxic

Hydrophis Peronii, also known as the horned sea snake, Peron’s sea snake, or spiny-headed sea snake, is a poisonous snake belonging to the Hydrophiinae subfamily of the Elapidae family.

The species is only found in the western tropical Pacific Ocean, which is endemic. The neck of the spiny-headed sea snake is only one-third to two-fifths the diameter of the thickest region of the body, making it a medium-sized snake.

6. Coastal Taipan

Costal Taipan
Costal Taipan | Image Credit – Dreams Time
NameCoastal taipan  (Oxyuranus scutellatus)
Length (Max)2m – 3.3m
Found InAustralia and Southern New Guinea
Venom Toxicity after biteTaicatoxin, a highly potent neurotoxin

The coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus), sometimes known as the common taipan, is a highly venomous snake belonging to the Elapidae family. 

The coastal taipan can be seen in various habitats, including monsoon woods, open woodland, and artificial habitats like sugarcane fields.

 It primarily hunts and consumes small animals, with some bird prey thrown in for good measure. The species is oviparous, meaning it reproduces by laying eggs.

According to most toxicological investigations, this species, after the inland taipan and the eastern brown snake, is the world’s third most poisonous terrestrial snake. 

Its venom is neurotoxic and coagulopathic in nature. The coastal taipan, which is more feared than any other Australian snake, is the world’s third most venomous terrestrial snake, after the inland taipan and the eastern brown snake.

They can inflict several bites and inject significant amounts of venom – up to 60 mg – in a matter of seconds.

7. Many-banded krait

Many banded krait
Many banded krait | Image Credit – Wikimedia Commons
NameMany-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus)
Length (Max)1 to 1.5 m
Found Incentral and southern China well as Southeast Asia
Venom Toxicity after bitePre- and postsynaptic neurotoxins

The many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus), also called the Taiwanese krait or the Chinese krait, is a venomous elapid snake found throughout much of central and southern China well as Southeast Asia. 

Many-banded krait is a black or bluish-black snake with uncountable white bands across its body, ranging in length from 1 to 1.5 m (3.5 to 5 ft). Throughout its geographic range, the many-banded krait prefers marshy places, though it lives in a variety of habitats.

Pre- and postsynaptic neurotoxins (such as bungarotoxins among others) are found in the venom of the many-banded krait; bungarotoxins account for nearly half of the venom’s protein content by weight. 

The average venom production from snake farm specimens ranges from 4.6 mg to 19.4 mg.

8. Black-banded sea krait

Black-banded sea krait
Black-banded sea krait | Image Credit – Wikimedia Commons
NameBlack-banded sea krait (Laticauda semifasciata)
Length (Max)Male – 87.5 cm,  Female – 1.42m
Found InWestern Pacific Oceans
Venom Toxicity after biteNeurotoxic

The black-banded sea krait (Laticauda semifasciata), often known as the Chinese sea snake, is a poisonous snake belonging to the Laticaudinae subfamily of the Elapidae family. This sea snake likes to hang around near coral reefs. It has a small head, a thick trunk, and no visible neck.

The banded sea krait’s neurotoxic venom is ten times more robust than that of a rattlesnake, making it one of the most lethal organisms in our oceans. The venom targets the victim’s neurological system, causing convulsions, paralysis, heart failure, and death.

9. Beaked sea snake

Beaked sea snake
Beaked sea snake | Image Credit – Pxfuel
NameBeaked sea snake (Enhydrina schistosa)
Length (Max)
Found InTropical Indo-Pacific
Venom Toxicity after biteneurotoxins and myotoxins.

The beaked sea snake, also called the hook-nosed sea snake, common sea snake, or Valakadeyan sea snake, is a highly poisonous species of sea snake that wanders throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific.

This species is in charge of more than half of all sea snake bites and the majority of envenomings and fatalities. This species’ venom contains powerful neurotoxins and myotoxins.

The great majority of deaths from sea snake bites are caused by this widespread species (up to 90 percent of all sea snake bites).

10. Black tiger snake

Black tiger snake
Black tiger snake | Image Credit – Flickr
NameBlack Tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus)
Length (Max)1m approximately
Found Insouthern Australia, including coastal islands ofTasmania
Venom Toxicity after biteneurotoxins, coagulants, haemolysins, and mycotoxins

Tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) are large and highly venomous snakes of southern Australia, including its coastal islands and Tasmania.

Although the species can be quite diverse in appearance and patterning, these snakes are frequently observed and locally well known for their banding, which is black and yellow like a tiger. 

Tiger snakes accounted for 17% of identified snakebite casualties in Australia between 2005 and 2015, with four deaths recorded from 119 confirmed envenomations.

Tiger snake venoms own potent neurotoxins, coagulants, haemolysins, and mycotoxins. Indication of a bite includes restricted pain in the neck region and foot, tingling, numbness, and sweating, followed by breathing difficulties and paralysis in a relatively short period. In a study, the mortality rate from untreated bites is reported to be between 40 and 60%.

11. Echis carinatus

Echis carinatus
Echis carinatus | Image Credit – Wikimedia Commons
NameEchis carinatus
Length (Max)38 – 80 cm
Found InCentral Asia and the Middle East
Venom Toxicity after bitehaemotoxic

The venomous viper Echis carinatus is widespread in parts of Central Asia and the Middle East, especially the Indian subcontinent. 

It is the tiniest of the four big snakes responsible for the bulk of snakebite cases and deaths due to many factors, including its frequent prevalence in highly populated regions and its unassuming look.

Echis carinatus generates about 18 mg of dry venom per gram of body weight on average, with a maximum of 72 mg. 

It can shoot up to 12 mg, although an adult’s fatal dose is considered to be only 5 mg envenomation causes both local and systemic symptoms, the latter of which can be fatal.

Swelling and discomfort, which emerge minutes after a bite, are local symptoms. In difficult situations, the swelling can spread up the entire affected limb within 12–24 hours, resulting in blisters on the skin. 

Individual specimens produce varying amounts of venom, as does the amount injected per bite. The fatality rate from their bites is around 20%, although deaths are currently uncommon due to the availability of antivenom.

12. Black Mamba

Black Mamba
Black Mamba | Image Credit – Flickr
NameBlack mamba (Dendroaspis Polylepis)
Length (Max)2 – 4.3m
Found InSub-Saharan Africa
Venom Toxicity after biteneurotoxins

The venomous black mamba (Dendroaspis Polylepis) belongs to the Elapidae family of snakes. This species can be found in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. 

When threatened, the black mamba hisses open its inky-black jaws and stretch its short neck flap. It can strike from afar and administer a series of bites quickly.

Its venom is primarily composed of neurotoxins, which can cause symptoms in as little as 10 minutes and can be a death sentence if not treated with antivenom. 

Despite its fearsome and aggressive reputation, the black mamba only attacks humans when threatened or cornered. 

It is labeled as “least concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.

13. King cobra

King cobra
King cobra | Image Credit – Flickr
NameKing cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
Length (Max)3.18 to 4 meters
Found Inrainforests of Southern and Southeast Asia
Venom Toxicity after biteNeurotoxin

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous elapid snake that is only found in the rainforests of Southern and Southeast Asia. 

It is the only cobra in the genus Ophiophagus, distinguished from other cobras by its size and neck markings. 

With an aggregate length of 3.18 to 4 meters, the king cobra is the world’s longest venomous snake (10.4 to 13.1 ft).

The poisons cause extreme pain, clouded vision, vertigo, lethargy, and eventually paralysis in the victim’s central nervous system. 

If the envenomation is severe, the person will have cardiovascular collapse and slip into a coma. 

Respiratory failure is the cause of death. Within 30 minutes of being envenomated, the victim can die.

14. Philippine Cobra

Philippine Cobra
Philippine Cobra | Image Credit – Owlcation
NamePhilippine cobra (Naja philippinensis)
Length (Max)3.3 ft to 12 ft
Found InNorthern region of philippines
Venom Toxicity after bitepostsynaptic neurotoxin

The Philippine cobra (Naja philippinensis), commonly known as the philippine spitting cobra or northern Philippine cobra, is a stocky, highly poisonous spitting cobra confined to the Philippines’ northern areas. 

In Tagalog, the Philippine cobra is known as ulupong, in Ilocano as carasaen, and in Cebuano as agwáson or banákon. 

The venom of the Philippine cobra is a powerful postsynaptic neurotoxin that impairs respiratory function and can cause neurotoxicity and respiratory paralysis because the neurotoxins bind to the neuromuscular junctions surrounding the muscles, interrupting nerve signal transmission. 

According to research, its venom is primarily neurotoxic, with no prominent necrotizing components or cardiotoxins.

15. Russell’s viper

Russell's viper
Russell’s viper | Image Credit – Flickr
NameRussell’s viper (Daboia russelii)
Length (Max)166 cm
Found InIndian subcontinent
Venom Toxicity after biteheterodimeric PLA2 neurotoxin

The Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) is a poisonous snake belonging to the Viperidae family native to the Indian subcontinent. It is one of India’s four giant snakes. 

The solenoglyphous dentition of this species delivers the venom. Individual specimens of D. Russelii produce a significant amount of venom. 

Adult specimens yielded 130–250 mg, 150–250 mg, and 21–268 mg of venom, respectively. The venom production ranged from 8 to 79 mg for 13 juveniles with an average total length of 79 cm (31 in) (mean 45 mg).

Conclusion 

That concludes the list of the world’s 15 most dangerous snakes. Does anything catch your eye? Have any of these snakes bitten you in the wild?

(Last Updated on May 17, 2022 by Sadrish Dabadi)

Rishu Shakya, a bachelor’s degree graduate in Business Information Management, holds an extraordinary empathy towards mother nature and her ecosystem. She has always been captivated by green Earth and its charm. She regards spreading awareness about clean energy and sustainable development as her passion as well as responsibility. She believes her compassion about the Earth and human relationships will undoubtedly assist our planet to be a better place.