Animals Reptiles Snakes Top 10 Venomous snakes

The largest venomous snakes TOP 50

The longest venomous snakes TOP 50

Snake venoms (snake toxins, also ophiotoxins) are the physiologically active components of the venomous snakes’ venomous apparatus. They are mainly used for prey hunting and digestion, as well as for defense against attackers. There is no reliable information on the number of deaths caused by venomous snakes worldwide each year, an estimate from 2008 states 21,000 to 94,000 deaths per year.

Systematic research and analysis of snake venoms have been going on since the 1960s. About a quarter of the approximately 3,900 known species of snakes are venomous snakes.

The subfamily Boiginae comprises by far the largest group, followed by:

Elapidae family (commonly known as elapids) – 55 genera with some 360 species and over 170 subspecies
Hydrophiinae – sea snakes and many genera of venomous land snakes found in Australasia, such as taipans (Oxyuranus)
tiger snakes (Notechis)
brown snakes (Pseudonaja) and death adders (Acanthophis)
Viperidae (vipers) and Crotalinae (pit vipers)

Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)

Median lethal dose LD₅₀

The effect of venom is generally assessed using the median lethal dose (LD₅₀ value). The most venomous snakes in the world are mostly native to Australia. The most venomous of all snakes is generally the Inland taipan, also found in Australia, whose “taipoxin” has an LD₅₀ value of 2 μg/kg body weight in mice when administered subcutaneously.

You can find more information about venomous snakes in the articles: The most venomous snakes in the world and The most venomous snakes TOP 10, today we will focus on their dimensions. In the table below, we have collected more than 250 venomous snakes and sorted them by size. As you can see, venomous snakes are not only small, not very menacing-looking creatures, but also one of the largest snakes living today on our planet. Of course, they’re not quite as big and heavy as an anaconda or reticulated python, understandably, but some of them are really impressive in size.

The biggest venomous snakes TOP 50

Rank	Common Name	Scientific Name	Length [cm]	Length [ft]
1	King cobra	Ophiophagus hannah	585 cm	19.2 ft
2	Black mamba	Dendroaspis polylepis	450 cm	14.8 ft
3	Bushmasters	Lachesis melanocephala	400 cm	13.1 ft
4	Atlantic bushmaster	Lachesis muta	365 cm	12.0 ft
5	Coastal taipan	Oxyuranus scutellatus	335 cm	11.0 ft
6	Mulga snake	Pseudechis australis	330 cm	10.8 ft
7	King brown snake	Pseudechis australis	330 cm	10.8 ft
8	Forest cobra	Naja melanoleuca	320 cm	10.5 ft
9	Brown tree snake	Boiga irregularis	300 cm	9.8 ft
10	Narrow banded Sea Snake	Hydrophis spiralis	300 cm	9.8 ft
11	False Water Cobra	Hydrodynastes gigas	300 cm	9.8 ft
12	Blandings Tree Snake	Toxicodryas blandingii	280 cm	9.2 ft
13	Ringed water cobra	Naja annulata	280 cm	9.2 ft
14	Eastern green mamba	Dendroaspis angusticeps	280 cm	9.2 ft
15	Giant spitting cobra	Naja ashei	270 cm	8.9 ft
16	Banded krait	Bungarus fasciatus	270 cm	8.9 ft
17	Banded krait	Bungarus fasciatus	270 cm	8.9 ft
18	Elegant sea snake	Hydrophis elegans	260 cm	8.5 ft
19	Collett’s black snake	Pseudechis colletti	260 cm	8.5 ft
20	Egyptian cobra	Naja haje	259 cm	8.5 ft
21	Red bellied black snake	Pseudechis porphyriacus	255 cm	8.4 ft
22	Terciopelo	Bothrops asper	250 cm	8.2 ft
23	Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake	Crotalus adamanteus	250 cm	8.2 ft
24	Inland taipan	Oxyuranus microlepidotus	250 cm	8.2 ft
25	Banded cobra	Naja annulifera	250 cm	8.2 ft
26	Okinawa habu	Protobothrops flavoviridis	240 cm	7.9 ft
27	Western green mamba	Dendroaspis viridis	240 cm	7.9 ft
28	Eastern brown snake	Pseudonaja textilis	240 cm	7.9 ft
29	Mangrove snake	Boiga dendrophila	230 cm	7.5 ft
30	Monocled cobra	Naja kaouthia	230 cm	7.5 ft
31	Brazilian lancehead	Bothrops moojeni	230 cm	7.5 ft
32	Black necked spitting cobra	Naja nigricollis	220 cm	7.2 ft
33	Jameson’s mamba	Dendroaspis jamesoni	220 cm	7.2 ft
34	Papuan black snake	Pseudechis papuanus	220 cm	7.2 ft
35	Spectacled cobra	Naja naja	220 cm	7.2 ft
36	Jararacussu	Bothrops jararacussu	220 cm	7.2 ft
37	Western diamondback rattlesnake	Crotalus atrox	213 cm	7.0 ft
38	Martinique lancehead	Bothrops lanceolatus	210 cm	6.9 ft
39	Mainland tiger snake	Notechis scutatus	210 cm	6.9 ft
40	Red headed krait	Bungarus flaviceps	210 cm	6.9 ft
41	Mexican west coast rattlesnake	Crotalus basiliscus	205 cm	6.7 ft
42	Central African gaboon viper	Bitis gabonica	205 cm	6.7 ft
43	Mangshan pit viper	Protobothrops mangshanensis	203 cm	6.7 ft
44	Olive brown sea snake	Aipysurus laevis	200 cm	6.6 ft
45	Dugite	Pseudonaja affinis	200 cm	6.6 ft
46	Levantine viper	Macrovipera lebetina	200 cm	6.6 ft
47	Montpellier Snake	Malpolon monspessulanus	200 cm	6.6 ft
48	Northern Philippine cobra	Naja philippinensis	200 cm	6.6 ft
49	Fer-de-Lance	Bothrops lanceolatus	200 cm	6.6 ft
50	Annulated sea snake	Hydrophis cyanocinctus	190 cm	6.2 ft

Characteristics of the largest venomous snakes

King cobra **(Ophiophagus hannah)**

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous snake species that is native to the rainforests of South and Southeast Asia. It is the longest venomous snake in the world, with some individuals reaching lengths of up to 18 feet (5.5 meters). The king cobra is also known as the hamadryad, a name that refers to the mythical Greek forest nymphs that were said to live in trees.

The king cobra has a slender, cylindrical body with a triangular-shaped head and a pair of long, hinged fangs. Its scales are smooth and shiny, and its coloration is typically olive-green or brown, with lighter crossbands or spots on its body. The king cobra is a diurnal snake, meaning it is active during the day. It is found in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, deciduous forests, and agricultural areas.

The king cobra is a highly venomous snake and is known for its potent neurotoxic venom, which it injects through its long, hinged fangs. Its venom attacks the nervous system and can cause symptoms such as paralysis, difficulty breathing, and death. The king cobra is an aggressive snake and is known to be territorial, attacking intruders that enter its territory. It is considered to be one of the most dangerous snake species in the world. Despite its reputation, the king cobra is not typically aggressive towards humans and only bites when it feels threatened or provoked.

Black mamba **(Dendroaspis polylepis)**

The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is a venomous snake species that is native to the savannas and woodlands of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a large, fast-moving snake that is known for its aggressive behavior and highly toxic venom. The black mamba is the longest venomous snake in Africa, with some individuals reaching lengths of up to 14 feet (4.3 meters).

The black mamba has a slender, cylindrical body with a triangular-shaped head and a pair of long, hinged fangs. Its scales are smooth and shiny, and its coloration is typically olive-green, brown, or gray in color, with a distinctive black coloration on the inside of its mouth. The black mamba is a diurnal snake, meaning it is active during the day.

The black mamba is an aggressive snake and is known to attack humans when provoked or threatened. Its venom is a potent neurotoxin that attacks the nervous system and can cause symptoms such as paralysis, difficulty breathing, and death. The black mamba is considered to be one of the most dangerous snake species in Africa, and it is responsible for a significant number of snakebite incidents and deaths in its native range.

**Bushmasters / black-headed bushmaster (Lachesis melanocephala)**

The black-headed bushmaster (Lachesis melanocephala) is a venomous snake species found in the rainforests of South and Central America. It is a member of the pit viper family and is known for its large size and highly venomous bite.

An adult black-headed bushmaster can reach an average length of about 6.5 feet (2 meters), although individuals up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) have been recorded. These snakes are heavy-bodied, with a thick tail and a triangular head. They have a dark, shiny appearance and are typically brown or black in color, with a black head and distinctive markings on the body.

The venom of the black-headed bushmaster is highly toxic and can cause severe pain, swelling, and bleeding at the site of the bite. In severe cases, it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. There is no specific antivenom available for this species, so treatment is typically supportive in nature and may include medications to control pain and inflammation, as well as fluids to help prevent dehydration.

In general, black-headed bushmasters are not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense when threatened or provoked. These snakes are found in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, savannas, and grasslands, and they are skilled climbers and swimmers. They are also nocturnal, so they are most active at night.

**Atlantic bushmaster (Lachesis muta)**

The Atlantic bushmaster (Lachesis muta) is a venomous snake species found in the rainforests of Central and South America. It is a member of the pit viper family and is known for its large size and highly venomous bite.

An adult Atlantic bushmaster can reach an average length of about 9.8 feet (3 meters), although individuals up to 13.1 feet (4 meters) have been recorded. These snakes are heavy-bodied, with a thick tail and a triangular head. They have a dark, shiny appearance and are typically brown or black in color, with distinctive markings on the body.

The venom of the Atlantic bushmaster is highly toxic and can cause severe pain, swelling, and bleeding at the site of the bite. In severe cases, it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. There is no specific antivenom available for this species, so treatment is typically supportive in nature and may include medications to control pain and inflammation, as well as fluids to help prevent dehydration.

In general, Atlantic bushmasters are not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense when threatened or provoked. These snakes are found in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, savannas, and grasslands, and they are skilled climbers and swimmers. They are also nocturnal, so they are most active at night.

**Coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus)**

The coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus), also known as the “fierce snake” or “small-scaled snake,” is a venomous snake species that is native to parts of Australia and Papua New Guinea. It is a medium to large-sized snake, typically reaching lengths of about 6-9 feet (1.8-2.7 meters), although some individuals can grow up to 11 feet (3.4 meters) in length. The coastal taipan is known for its highly toxic venom and its aggressive behavior when threatened.

The coastal taipan has a slender, cylindrical body with a triangular-shaped head and a pair of long, hinged fangs. Its scales are smooth and shiny, and its coloration is typically olive-green or brown in color, with darker crossbands or spots on its body. The coastal taipan is a diurnal snake, meaning it is active during the day. It is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas.

The coastal taipan is a highly venomous snake and is known for its potent neurotoxic venom, which it injects through its long, hinged fangs. Its venom attacks the nervous system and can cause symptoms such as paralysis, difficulty breathing, and death. The coastal taipan is considered to be one of the most dangerous snake species in the world and is responsible for a significant number of snakebite incidents and deaths in its native range. Despite its reputation, the coastal taipan is not typically aggressive towards humans and only bites when it feels threatened or provoked.

**King brown snake / mulga snake (Pseudechis australis)**

The mulga snake (Pseudechis australis) is a venomous snake species found in the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. It is a member of the Elapidae family, which includes other venomous snakes such as cobras, kraits, and sea snakes.

An adult mulga snake can reach an average length of about 6.5 feet (2 meters), although individuals up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) have been recorded. These snakes are slender and have a narrow head and neck, with a long, tapering tail. They have a shiny, smooth appearance and are typically olive, brown, or black in color, with distinctive markings on the body.

The venom of the mulga snake is highly toxic and can cause severe pain, swelling, and bleeding at the site of the bite. In severe cases, it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. There is an antivenom available for this species, which can be administered in cases of envenomation.

In general, mulga snakes are not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense when threatened or provoked. These snakes are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands, and they are good climbers and swimmers. They are also nocturnal, so they are most active at night.

Forest cobra **(Naja melanoleuca)**

The forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca) is a venomous snake species that is native to parts of Central and West Africa. It is a medium-sized snake, typically reaching lengths of about 3-4 feet (90-120 cm), although some individuals can grow up to 6 feet (180 cm) in length. The forest cobra is also known as the black-necked cobra due to the distinctive black coloration on the back of its neck.

The forest cobra has a slender, cylindrical body with a triangular-shaped head and a pair of long, hinged fangs. Its scales are smooth and shiny, and its coloration is typically yellow, brown, or olive-colored with darker crossbands or spots on its body. The forest cobra is a diurnal snake, meaning it is active during the day. It is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas.

The forest cobra is a venomous snake and is capable of injecting a potent neurotoxic venom through its long, hinged fangs. Its venom attacks the nervous system and can cause symptoms such as paralysis, difficulty breathing, and death. The forest cobra is responsible for a significant number of snakebite incidents and deaths in its native range, and it is considered to be one of the most dangerous snake species in Africa. Despite its reputation, the forest cobra is not typically aggressive towards humans and only bites when it feels threatened or provoked.

**Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)**

The brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) is a venomous snake species found in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. It is a member of the Colubridae family, which includes other non-venomous snakes such as garter snakes and kingsnakes.

An adult brown tree snake can reach an average length of about 3.3 feet (1 meter), although individuals up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) have been recorded. These snakes are slender and have a narrow head and neck, with a long, tapering tail. They have a shiny, smooth appearance and are typically brown or yellowish-brown in color, with distinctive markings on the body.

The venom of the brown tree snake is not considered to be highly toxic to humans, and bites are generally not considered life-threatening. However, bites may cause pain, swelling, and other local symptoms. There is no specific antivenom available for this species, so treatment is typically supportive in nature and may include medications to control pain and inflammation, as well as fluids to help prevent dehydration.

In general, brown tree snakes are not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense when threatened or provoked. These snakes are found in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, savannas, and grasslands, and they are skilled climbers and swimmers. They are also nocturnal, so they are most active at night.

Narrow banded Sea Snake (Hydrophis spiralis)

The narrow-banded sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis) is a venomous snake species found in the waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is a member of the Elapidae family, which includes other venomous snakes such as cobras, kraits, and mulga snakes.

An adult narrow-banded sea snake can reach an average length of about 3.3 feet (1 meter), although individuals up to 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) have been recorded. These snakes are slender and have a narrow head and neck, with a long, tapering tail. They have a smooth, shiny appearance and are typically brown or yellowish-brown in color, with distinctive markings on the body.

The venom of the narrow-banded sea snake is highly toxic and can cause severe pain, swelling, and bleeding at the site of the bite. In severe cases, it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. There is an antivenom available for this species, which can be administered in cases of envenomation.

In general, narrow-banded sea snakes are not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense when threatened or provoked. These snakes are found in a variety of marine environments, including shallow reefs, lagoons, and estuaries, and they are excellent swimmers. They are also nocturnal, so they are most active at night.

The largest venomous snakes TOP 50