Most Venomous Snake

A venomous snake species is one which delivers venom, i.e. the modified saliva, using their specialized teeth, either to immobilize and kill the prey or for self defense. The diversity in the method of determining which snake is most venomous among the various species makes the task even more difficult. Some people feel that comparing the number of deaths caused by a particular species with the number of deaths attributed to various other snake species is the correct method of determining which is the most venomous snake in the world, while others believe that calculating the median lethal dose is the apt method for the same. The number of deaths caused by a particular snake species is no doubt the correct method to determine which is the most dangerous snake in the world but when it comes to the most venomous snake, depending on the median lethal dose is better.

Which is the World's Most Venomous Snake?
It is difficult to ascertain what is the world's most venomous snake, considering that numerous factors, including the reliability of the data and method used for testing various types of snake venom, come into play. Generally, the median lethal dose (MLD) of the snake species is taken into consideration, in order to decide which is the most venomous species of snake on the planet. The median lethal dose, at times represented as LD₅₀, LC₅₀ or LCt₅₀, is the dose essential to kill half of the tested population. It is the most widely used concept when it comes to comparison of toxic substances such as snake venom.

Many people refer to these venomous snakes as the most poisonous snakes ever, which is technically incorrect, as venom and poison are two different things. While poison is absorbed by the body through the skin or digestive system, venom has to be injected directly into the tissues or blood stream. The fangs of these venomous snake species are especially, suited to inject the venom right into their prey or enemy.

Most Venomous Snake on Earth
The Inland taipan, native to Australia, is regarded as the most venomous snake in the world. It is also referred to as the Small scaled snake or Fierce snake. This snake is also known by its scientific name, Oxyuranus microlepidotus. It is widely found in the dry plains and grasslands of Central Australia. It is typically characterized by brown or olive color, with black marks on the head. The median lethal dose for the venom of Inland taipan is 0.025 mg/kg. The amount of venom this snake injects into its prey, in a single bite, is enough to kill around a hundred adult humans.

Approximately, 40,000 people in the world are killed by snakebites every year. However, the number of people killed by snakebites in Australia seldom crosses single digit mark. With the most venomous snake in the world being found here, this low number seems deceptive. The fact is that being the most venomous snake in Australia and the world does not make the Inland taipan the most dangerous snake. It is a shy or reclusive snake species which seldom comes in contact with humans. On the other hand, even though species like the Cobra or Saw scaled viper have much less toxic venom, they are very aggressive and hence, account for a large number of snakebite deaths in various parts of the world.

Most Venomous Snakes in Different Parts of the World
Although, the Inland taipan is the most venomous snake in the world, other regions also have some of the most venomous species. The distinction of being the most venomous snake in North America goes to the Eastern diamond-backed rattlesnake, with 11.4 MLD. In South America, the most venomous snake is the Fer-de-lance, also known as the Common lancehead, with 27.8 MLD. While the Cobra, with 0.565 MLD, is the most venomous snake species found in Asia. Coral snake is said to be the most venomous snake in the United States.

So this was about the most venomous, or what many would refer to as the most poisonous, snake in the world. The diversity in the list of most venomous snakes in the world compiled by different organizations is bound to leave you baffled initially, but take a closer look and you will notice that the Inland taipan does top most of these lists.