Slimy? Eww. Beady eyes? Double eww. Fangs filled with deathly venom? Yeah, I’m creeped out and running for the hills. Snakes have the uncanny ability to shame even the scariest horror films simply by their slithery presence. Albeit, it’s common knowledge that snakes also are incredibly dangerous which is why we rounded up a list of THE deadliest snakes around the globe. Check it out, if you dare.
Anaconda
Thanks to Hollywood flicks, we’re all quite familiar with the Anaconda. The snake, not the song! What the anaconda lacks in venom quantity, as it’s bordering on very, very low, it makes up for in size. Additionally, the Anaconda’s method of killing is to wrap victims around the midsection and compress until they are totally crushed. Only then does it swallow you whole. GULP.
Anaconda
Jararaca
Southeastern Brazil is where you’ll find the Jararaca, one of most known venomous snakes around. During 1902 and 1945, the Jararaca caused more than 52% (3,446 cases) of snakebites, with a staggering 0.7% mortality rate (25 deaths). No thanks, I’m reconsidering my cheap ticket to the area as we speak.
Black Mamba
If you don’t already have the heebie-jeebies, brace yourself. Black Mamba’s have the intense ability to strike 12 sequential times and each bite is filled with monstrous levels of neurotoxin. And if that wasn’t bad enough, a bite is nearly 100 percent deadly with death occurring in as little as 15 minutes. That says it all!
Black Mamba
Tiger Keelback
A water snake (GULP) located in Japan and throughout Eastern Asia, the Tiger Keelback is up next. Man, looking at a cheap ticket to cure wanderlust is a challenge at this point. Note that the Tiger Keelback is rather shy, but incredibly dangerous. This freaky snake can consume toxic creatures, store said creature in their own glands, before they actually release it later.
Indian Cobra
A common and deadly family of snakes that can be found in India are commonly referred to as the ‘Big Four’ and yes, they’re all deadly and they’re all on this list. In Indian mythos, the Indian Cobra is respected and commonly used by ‘snake charmers’. When bitten, you’ll experience paralysis which can lead to respiratory failure or even a heart attack.
Indian Cobra
Rattlesnake
Surely the rattlesnake is a snake species you’ve heard of before and that’s namely due to the fact that they’re considered killing machines. Fun? NOPE. Located in parts of North America, the one good thing about getting bitten by a rattlesnake is the fact that their bites are scarcely fatal if treated immediately.
Common Krait
Meet another member of India’s ‘Big Four’, the Common Krait is easily recognizable what with it’s very flat head. During the day, if you encounter the snake, the likelihood that it’ll hide and react slow is greater. However at night, the Common Krait will not hesitate to bite at the first sign of annoyance and its agitation will rise quickly. Should you leave a bite untreated, nerve damage, muscle paralysis, and brain damage will soon follow.
Common Krait
Saw Scaled Viper
Saw Scaled Vipers’ call India, China, and Asia home so we’d be careful with that hotel reservation. While nocturnal, Saw Scaled Vipers’ are ridiculously quick. Immediate pain, swelling, and bleeding from the mouth is the first ordeal you’ll suffer through. Additionally, your blood pressure will plummet while your heart rare slows. Note that for the following four to five weeks of a bite, you’ll experience crippling agony.
Desert Horned Viper
Up next on the list is the Desert Horned Viper. True to its name, this fella sports horns above its eyes. Best to avoid that cheap ticket to the Middle East and northern parts of Africa, if we were you. Why? Their potent venom of course.
Desert Horned Viper
Philippine Cobra
Out of the entire Cobra species, you’re looking at THE most venomous and deadliest one. The Philippine Cobra has the terrifying ability to shoot its venom some 10 feet in distance…great. Within minutes, you’ll endure cardiac and respiratory system failure.
Boomslang
Customarily based in South Africa, the Boomslang is lightning fast, can climb trees, and has a bite brimming with venomous toxins. Oh yeah, they also have extraordinary Superman-like eyesight and can move their heads in an Exorcist-like motion to gather a better view of objects directly in front of them. Just nope to all of the above.
Boomslang
Peron’s Sea Snake
Might be best to avoid that cheap flight to the Gulf of Siam, the Strait of Taiwan, and the Coral sea islands. Why? Because that’s the home of the Peron’s Sea Snake whose bite is filled with enough venom to kill you in minutes. Plus it’s the only sea snake that has spines on its head.
Elephant Trunk Snake
Indonesia is home to this fat, scary snake so mark that location off your cheap flight plan. Similar to that of an elephant, the Elephant Trunk Snake has saggy, wrinkly skin which grows 10 feet in length. Bare in mind, its length and strength can pull a grown man underwater – we’re talking about the snake, not the elephant. Yeah, let that sink in. Pun not intended!
Elephant Trunk Snake
Eastern Brown Snake
The Eastern Brown Snake may have a tame name but there’s nothing tame about this snake; it carries enough venom to instantly kill an adult human being. Not good would be an understatement. Researchers have strongly advised that if you should encounter one, stay still. Easier said than done, right?
King Cobra
Throughout Asia and the Indian jungles dwells the home of the King Cobra – the longest, most venomous snake in the entire world. While the King Cobra tends to only hunt lizards, rodents, and other snakes, however when it does bite a human, the venom can be fatal. How fatal? If left untreated, the survival rate is a staggering 40 percent.
King Cobra
Death Adder
Australia, New Guinea, and some nearby islands are host to the most venomous and fastest snake around. Thing is, they have incredible patience as they are known to lie in wait to ambush prey. Within six hours of being bitten, you’ll experience minor discomfort which then leads to paralysis and respiratory failure. However luckily, there is an antivenin available.
Darevsky’s Vipers
Armenia and Turkey sadly host one of the most venomous snakes in the region, the Darevsky’s Vipers. However, a recent study suggests there are only around 500 of these particular snakes left alive. Whether that’s good news or not is up to you.
Darevsky’s Vipers
Yellow Bellied Sea Snake
Yes, the Yellow Bellied Sea Snake is easy to spot in the water so let’s chalk that up to good news. However if bitten, the venom is highly potent.
Coastal Taipan
Native to coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia and the island of New Guinea, you’ll find the Coastal Taipan. Most toxicological studies have revealed this species is the sixth-most venomous land snake. Yikes.
Coastal Taipan
Russell’s Viper
The Russell’s Viper, or Daboia, can be found throughout Asia and is part of India’s ‘Big Four’. A large number of snakebites are credited to the Russell’s Viper mainly due to their more aggressive mien and presence in highly populated areas. Swell.
Malayan Snake
Malayan Snake, or the Blue Krait, is located throughout parts of Southeast Asia and Indonesia. Makes the thought of a cheap flight to the area seem less appealing. Moreover, half of the bite factor from a Malayan Snake is fatal, unless of course you receive the antivenin. Additionally, their venom is 16 times more toxic(!) than the Cobra, so there’s that.
Malayan Snake
Dubois’ Seasnake
Locations like Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and the northern, eastern and western coastal areas of Australia are where you’ll find the Dubois’ Seasnake. Doesn’t leave much room for a cheap ticket or hotel reservations in the area, now does it? Moreover, the Dubois’ Seasnake is one of the most venomous sea snakes, and ranks as one of the top three most venomous snakes in the entire world. Great.
Many Banded Krait
Commonly referred to as the Taiwanese Krait or the Chinese Krait, the Many Banded Krait is an extremely venomous species located in central and southern China and in Southeast Asia. Yup, we’d leave that cheap ticket behind. Furthermore, the mortality rate if bitten ranges between 25 to 35% or 70 to 100%. Either way, not good!
Many Banded Krait
Burrowing Asp
Cue the “whomp-whomp-whomp” as the terrifying Burrowing Asp ranks high as very dangerous, especially when around small children. Why? The Burrowing Asp hides underground, like in sand pits or underneath slides. Furthermore, their protruding fangs are so poisonous and all the fangs need to do is to get in contact with your skin. They don’t even need to bite you to cause serious harm or death.
