The World’s Deadliest Snakes: The 10 Most Venomous Snakes Globally & in Australia
An Eastern Brown Snake from Western Sydney
Snakebites are a serious medical concern, particularly in regions with a high prevalence of venomous species. Every year, thousands of people fall victim to snakebites, with many cases leading to fatalities due to delayed treatment or lack of access to antivenom. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 most venomous snakes in the world, the 10 deadliest snakes in Australia, and provide a breakdown of snakebite deaths worldwide, based on available data from 2020.
The 10 Most Venomous Snakes in the World
Venom toxicity is measured using the LD50 (lethal dose 50%) scale, which determines how much venom is required to kill 50% of test subjects, usually mice. The lower the LD50, the more toxic the venom. Here are the top 10 most venomous snakes globally based on their venom potency.
1. Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) Australia
LD50: 0.025 mg/kg
Known as the “Fierce Snake,†the Inland Taipan has the most toxic venom of any land snake. A single bite contains enough venom to kill 100 adult humans.
Inland Taipan
2. Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) Australia
LD50: 0.036 mg/kg
Responsible for the most deaths in Australia, this aggressive snake can strike multiple times and delivers a neurotoxic venom that can cause paralysis and cardiac arrest.
3. Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) – Australia & Papua New Guinea
LD50: 0.099 mg/kg
Extremely fast and agile, the Coastal Taipan can strike with extreme precision, delivering a powerful neurotoxin that causes severe internal bleeding and organ failure.
Coastal Taipan
4. Many-Banded Krait (Bungarus multicinctus) Southeast Asia & China
LD50: 0.113 mg/kg
Also called the Taiwanese Krait, this nocturnal snake’s venom is so potent that it can lead to respiratory failure within hours if left untreated.
Many-Banded Krait
5. Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) Africa
LD50: 0.32 mg/kg
Africa’s fastest and most feared snake, the Black Mamba bite can kill within 30 minutes without antivenom.
Black Mamba
6. Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) Africa
LD50: 0.071 mg/kg
A rare but deadly hemotoxic venom causes massive internal bleeding, sometimes with delayed symptoms.
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus
7. King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) Southeast Asia & India
LD50: 1.5 mg/kg
The longest venomous snake in the world (up to 5.5 meters) injects a large dose of venom that can kill an elephant.
King Cobra
8. Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelii) South Asia
LD50: 0.133 mg/kg
One of the Big Four snakes responsible for the most deaths in India, its venom causes severe tissue damage, kidney failure, and internal bleeding.
Russell’s Viper
9. Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) Middle East, Asia & Africa
LD50: 0.151 mg/kg
This small but aggressive snake is responsible for more deaths than any other species, particularly in India and Pakistan.
Saw-Scaled Viper
10. Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) Australia
LD50: 0.118 mg/kg
This highly venomous snake’s bite leads to paralysis, kidney failure, and severe muscle damage.
The 10 Most Venomous Snakes in Australia
Australia is home to some of the deadliest snakes in the world. Here are the 10 most venomous Australian snakes based on LD50 toxicity:
1. Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
2. Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
3. Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus)
4. Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)
5. Mulga Snake (King Brown) (Pseudechis australis)
6. Lowland Copperhead (Austrelaps superbus)
7. Small-Eyed Snake (Cryptophis nigrescens)
8. Rough-Scaled Snake (Tropidechis carinatus)
9. Red-Bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)
10. Western Brown Snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis)
How Many People Die from Snakebites Each Year?
Snakebites are a major global health issue, particularly in rural and tropical regions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 81,000 and 138,000 people die annually from snakebite envenomation.
Snakebite Deaths by Continent (2020 Estimates)
Continent
Annual Snakebite Deaths
Most Deadly Species
Asia
60,000+
Russell’s Viper, Indian Cobra, Saw-Scaled Viper
Africa
30,000+
Black Mamba, Puff Adder, Boomslang
South America
3,000+
Bothrops Lancehead, Bushmaster
North America
<10
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Australia
<5
Eastern Brown Snake, Inland Taipan
Key Takeaways:
India has the highest snakebite deaths, with 45,900 fatalities annually.
Africa suffers from a lack of antivenom, contributing to high mortality rates.
Australia has the most venomous snakes per capita, but few deaths occur due to quick medical treatment.
How to Stay Safe from Venomous Snakes
Avoid walking through tall grass and undergrowth without boots.
Use a flashlight at night in areas where venomous snakes are common.
Do not attempt to handle or kill a snake – most bites occur when people try to interact with them.
Seek immediate medical attention if bitten – time is critical in treating snakebites.
Final Thoughts
The world’s most venomous snakes pose a serious threat, but understanding their behaviour and habitat can reduce risks. While Australia is home to many of the deadliest species, India and Africa experience the most fatalities due to limited healthcare access.
