I’m not a herpetologist, zoologist nor scientist. I can’t tell you exactly which is the most deadly or most dangerous snake but, from doing some research, I found 10 of the MOST deadliest snakes. Amazing how these little guys can bring down huge creatures such as elephants. I tried to include snakes from most continents. Ready? Let’s take a look.

10. The Rattlesnake

This infamous snake can be easily identifiable without even looking at it. They  possess a rattle which warns you to back off or else. Their venom is a potent hemotoxin that kills red blood cells and causes tissue damage. Even thought their bites are extremely painful and can be fatal to humans, antivenin is widely available. Bites rarely result in death, just pain, LOTS of it.

9. Puff Adder

No, not the comic book villain. More like Africa’s deadliest snake. The puff adder is equipped with long fangs, potent venom, excellent camouflage skills and a really bad temper. Their unwillingness to  go away when approached are the main reasons why this snake is extremely dangerous. The puff adder’s venom can and will cause severe pain, hemorrhages that can lead to shock, nausea, weakness, dizziness, skin and tissue necrosis and ultimately death if left untreated.

8. King Cobra

The king cobra deserves the king title since it’s the longest venomous snake in the world. A snake that can take down an elephant can certainly take a silly human with ease. They are fast, agile and extremely venomous. This snake will try to stay away from you but if cornered, prepare to fight. The cobra will raise up while flattening its hood.  Sharp fangs will be displayed in all their gloriouss-ness while making hissing noises from hell. Avoid conflict with this deadly weapon since it’s venom will bring severe pain, blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, paralysis, coma and then soon after, death.

7. Tiger Snake

This beautiful snake not only is highly venomous, killing it can get you a fine of $7,500 and 18 months of jail-time. Getting bitten also means a mortality rate between 40-60%. Your changes of survival are increased by treatment that it’s now widely available. Tiger snakes will carry out an impressive threat display before striking a bite. This begins with flattening of the neck and loud hissing followed by mock strikes.

6. Gaboon Viper

I’ve seen this snake in person and let me tell you, it’s a fat one. The huge triangular head stores immense amounts of venom and its also equipped with the longest fangs in the world. Are you afraid of needles? How about twin needles? Even thought the venom is not as toxic as most snakes on this list, the amount of venom that this snake can inject will cause fatalities. So beware, while taking a hike in Africa and watch out for this deadly beauty.

5. Black Mamba

Oh yes, the black mamba. Found in Africa and considered by some as the deadliest snake in the world. Feared by most and if you’re not scared, you should. This baby is the second longest most venomous snake in the world, is extremely fast and extremely aggressive if cornered. It will not bite once but several times injecting heavy doses of neurotoxin which could easily kill you in 20 minutes or less. The fatality rate from bites can be nearly 100% unless treated with antivenim which is rare. The snake itself is not black but rather the inside of its mouth. If you see it’s mouth, you better say your last prayers since this means that the Black Mamba is about to strike.

4. Barba Amarilla (Terciopelo)

Oh my, look at those fangs. This species is nocturnal, solitary, highly irritable and fast-moving. It is also regarded as being extremely unpredictable. Probably the reason why this snake is so dangerous. The Barba Amarilla is so heavy and strong that when striking, it can lift itself from the ground and bite above the knee. Also known in Brazil as  the “death Whisperer” or Snake X in central America, the Barba Amarilla can give birth to up to 100 young at a time.

3. Kraits

This magnificent snake will hide in the hills and mountains avoiding human contact. Generally docile and unaggressive during the day, it may become aggressive and dangerous at night if threatened. Sort of like the snake version of the werewolf. The Krait’s venom is a neurotoxin which prevents communication across neuromuscular synapses which will cause paralysis and death by asphyxiation because the victims can no longer breathe on their own. If you need a “take my breath away” moment, this is the ultimate one.

2. Inland Taipan

The Inland Taipan also known as the fierce snake, is the most toxic land snake in the world with a lethal dose estimated to be fifty times that of the Indian cobra. Yeah, that powerful but such a gentleman. It kills with a single accurate bite, then retreats while waiting for the prey to die before returning to consume its meal. Human bites are rare since this snake is very shy and reclusive. A single bite from this reclusive snake can bring down 44 humans or 77000 mice. That’s a lot of funerals.

1. Belcher’s Sea Snake

Even though this snake is the most venomous snake in the world, you can feel safe knowing that it is a water snake. If you don’t go into the ocean, you might never even encounter this beauty. This snake rarely bites even after repeated severe treatment. If it does bite, you might find relief knowing that your pain will be quick. Why? Glad you asked, only a few milligrams of Belcher’s myotoxic venom is enough to kill an estimate of more than 1000 people. If Belcheri injects, you will feel Death’s kiss within minutes. It is the most toxic venomous snake in the world.

Well, that’s my list, feel free to add your top 10 list in the comments.

Stay Venomous