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The common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) is a highly venomous snake species with a 50–60% untreated mortality rate. [87] It is also the fastest striking venomous snake in the world. [88] A death adder can go from a strike position, to strike and envenoming their prey, and back to strike position again, in less than 0.15 seconds. [88]
The evolutionary history of venomous snakes can be traced back to as far as 28 million years ago. [1] Snake venom is modified saliva used for prey immobilization and self-defense and is usually delivered through highly specialized teeth, hollow fangs, directly into the bloodstream or tissue of the target.
During the Vietnam War, American soldiers referred to the many-banded krait as the "two-step snake," in the mistaken belief that its venom was lethal enough to kill within two steps. [ 26 ] The many-banded krait gathered worldwide attention after a juvenile individual bit Joe Slowinski on 11 September 2001 in Myanmar .
These snakes are large enough to defend their territory from intruders, including humans. [15] The black mamba, in particular, is among the most venomous snakes in the world and one of the most aggressive. It is the longest venomous snake on the continent and is able to move at 11 kilometres per hour (6.8 mph), making it unusually dangerous. [23]
Consuming snake flesh and related goods is a reflection of many cultures around the world, especially in Asian nations like China, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Because of its supposed health benefits and aphrodisiac qualities, snake meat is frequently regarded as a delicacy and ingested. [ 136 ]
The longest venomous snake is the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), with lengths (recorded in captivity) of up to 5.7 m (19 ft) and a weight of up to 12.7 kg (28 lb). [53] It is also the largest elapid. The second-longest venomous snake in the world is possibly the African black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), which
Lachesis muta is the third longest venomous snake in the world, exceeded in length only by the king cobra and the black mamba. Weight in this species is estimated at an average of 3 to 5 kg (6.6 to 11.0 lb), somewhat less than the heaviest rattlesnakes (like the eastern diamondback rattlesnake ) or Bitis vipers (such as the Gaboon viper and ...
The red-headed krait (Bungarus flaviceps) is a large highly venomous elapid snake with dramatic coloration. The red-headed krait can grow to a length of up to 2.1 metres (7 ft). It lives in lowland rain forest, including those on islands, but it is considered uncommon. It feeds primarily on specific snakes, probably semiaquatic and fossorial snakes