Their fangs are between 3.5 to 6.2 mm long, being shorter than those of the Coastal taipan. In captivity these snakes normally live for 10 to 15 years, in the wild is difficult to determine their longevity. This helps with their thermoregulation, allowing the snake to absorb more heat in the colder months of the year. They have a tendency to become lighter throughout summer and darker in the winter season. The inland taipan or fierce snake adapts to the surrounding environment by changing the colour of their skin during seasonal changes. The head and neck are darker than their body. The back, sides or tail may be colored in different shades of brown and grey, with many of scales possessing a blackish edge. The inland taipan colour is dark tan, that ranges depending on season from a rich, dark hue to a brownish light-green. The inland taipan averages a length of approximately 6 ft (1.8 m), but larger specimens can reach up to 8 ft (2,5m) in length. It's one of the 3 species in its genus, the other are the Coastal taipan and the recently discovered (2007) the Central Ranges taipan.The species is primarily diurnal and are most active in the early morning, basking and foraging, but in cooler weather they may also be found active in the afternoon. The species was first described in the late 1800's, but it became a bit of a mystery to science for the next 90 years, nothing was added to knowledge of this snake until its was rediscovered in 1972. Like the king brown snake ( Pseudechis australis) that is immune to most Australian snake's venom, and the perentie ( Varanus giganteus), the largest Australian monitor lizard, which will attack large venomous snakes for prey. This species is also known as western taipan, small-scaled snake or fierce snake.The word "fierce" from its common name fierce snake, is used to describe its venom, not their temperament.ĭespite the fact that the inland taipan has the most toxic snake venom in the world, they are hunted and killed by other animals. It is therefore definitely not regarded as the most deadly snake on the planet overall, specifically when it comes to temperament along with the number of human fatalities annually. Its venom is about 50 times more toxic that the king cobra venom.īut since it lives in very remote regions, the inland taipan hardly ever comes in contact with humans. The maximum yield recorded from a single bite of Inland Taipan is 110 mg and the venom is so toxic that just one bite is enough to kill at least 100 human adults or 250 thousand mice.ĭepending on several factors a bite if left untreated as the potential to kill someone in as little as 30 to 45 minutes. Unlike most other snake species, the inland taipan evolved as mammal hunter so its venom is ultimately designed to kill warm-blooded prey, just like us. This is an extremely fast and agile snake species that can strike instantly and accurately, and will often strike multiple times in one attack, and it envenoms in almost every single case. With its placid disposition it prefers to escape from trouble, but it will defend itself and strike if mishandled, provoked or prevented from escaping.īut it first makes a warning display by raising its forebody in a tight S-shaped curve with their head facing the threat if the warning is ignored it will strike. When compared drop for drop and based on the median lethal dose (LD50) value in mice, its venom is by far the most toxic of any land snake or even sea snakes.Īlthough extremely venomous and a very capable striker, contrary to the rather aggressive nature of its relative the coastal taipan, this serpent is usually quite a shy and reclusive snake species. The inland taipan is not just a venomous snake it's considered the most venomous snake in the world by many people. Western Taipan, The Small-scaled Snake, The Fierce Snakeġ.8 m larger specimens can measure 2.The Inland Taipan ( Oxyuranus microlepidotus ), is a venomous snake of the taipan genus commonly found in semi-arid regions of central east Australia. The snake is known to be shy and reclusive. The species is regarded as the most venomous snake in the world. Inland taipan is an extremely high venomous snake endemic to central east Australia.
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