Most Venomous (goosebump warning for Kat)

[Mad Aussie]

You are looking at the most venomous land snake in the world ... the Fierce Snake also called the Inland Taipan.

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The Inland Taipan is found in a relatively small area near the outback Queensland border. Few people have ever seen one. Obviously this make it's no where near the Worlds most Dangerous snake to humans.

However, cousin to the Inland Taipan is this fella ... the Eastern or Coastal Taipan. These are large snakes and can be very aggressive also. We had one of these about 2.5 - 3 metres (around 8 or 9 feet) in length around our house years back. Clearing of land that morning nearby had sacred it out and it was pissed! We watched this snake attacking it's own reflection in a glass sliding door for about 10 minutes on and off. Frightening to see. Thankfully encounters like that are very rare unless you go running through cane fields or somewhere where they are known to be.

This snake is usually rated 3rd in the world on lists for the most venomous land snakes.

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I've found that lists for the most venomous snakes around the world can vary quite a bit.

We've always been told here in Aussie that we have the top 10 most venomous snakes in the world but I've found lists that only credit us with having around 5 or less. They all put the Fierce Snake (Inland Taipan) on the top of the list though.

JJ ...and those interested ... I found this website tonight which I thought was interesting in the way it explains the way snakes are tested and the toxicity of venom to humans as opposed to mice.
http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/australian_venomous_snakes.html

[AntZ]

Nice shots MA. Love the colour of the fierce snake.

[Greg_Nuspel]

Excellent shots, I assume they were through glass :fingerscr
With colouring like that I can see how they would be hard to find. Maybe there are more around than you think, nice thought hey Kat :eek:

[Mad Aussie]

Oh yes ... glass fronted display cases ... a wild python is one thing ... one of these suckers is something else indeed!

The Taipans used to reputedly to have the fastest repeated strike in the world. Not sure if that stands now.
There seems to be debate over whether the Diamond Back Rattler, the Puff Adder or Saw Scaled Adder, or the Death Adder (another Aussie model) has the fastest single strike. Far as I know the Death Adder does but it's hard to know who or what to believe.

[jjeling]

My understanding was that the Death Adder or the Puff Adder had the fastest strike in the world. This is only a relative term though. You must consider that the Adders are not very large snakes and their strike zone is relatively short. This does NOT mean you can get close to them. But snakes such as the Cobra or the Taipans are much larger snakes and can strike much further.

Rule of thumb....The distance between the snakes head and its first full coil is the distance you must space yourself between the snake. Venemous snakes are very rare here and I dont usually worry about this rule. Since the snakes I have run across here in Ohio are non-venemous, I usually get as close as possible. My nerves havent caved yet though, when I look TTL, I always jump back when they strike.

[kat]

Ha ha! :p

I love the second one! and the last one!

[Gem]

He looks particularly angry in the last two o_O I think I like the third one best =) Needless to say, great shots!