Nature Features available for license:
The World’s Deadliest Snakes
Australia is generally considered to have the world’s deadliest snakes. The truth is, its snakes only have the potential to be the deadliest. Because of Australia’s sparse population, there are only about two deaths per year from snake bite. Compare that to Africa where many thousands die every year from the bites of relatively low toxicity snakes.
Studies of the toxins of Australian snakes reveal they have the most potent venom cocktails in the world. Number one in rank is the Fierce Snake, who hardly ever gets his reputation challenged because he is so hard to stumble across in the arid corners of Queensland. Next on the list is the Mulga Snake who makes up for having lower potency venom by producing a larger volume than any other Australian species, and then injects it through very long, very efficient fangs. The Eastern Tiger Snake’s venom is third in toxicity but the snake has tiny fangs. It makes up for these deficiencies by having a really nasty temper. The Taipan ranks about fourth in the toxicity rankings, but its sheer aggression, long fangs and multiple strikes make it the most feared snake on the continent.
This story can be prepared for your magazine with more photos and more informative text explaining all the interesting factors about what makes a snake deadly.
If you want to enquire about viewing and licensing a complete version of this story, please use the Contact page.
Click an image to see an enlarged view
