There are more than 3,000 snake species living across the world, on every continent except Antarctica. Snakes play an important role in ecosystem food webs, as they eat rodents and other small mammals, other snakes, reptiles, and birds. Without snakes and other predators, prey populations would multiply exponentially out of control.
As snakes consume prey they also help to prevent disease, protecting human health. Rats, mice, and other rodents often carry diseases or act as a host for ticks or other parasites. By eating these animals, snakes reduce prey populations and thus the number of potential hosts.
Venomous snakes, or snakes that bite and use fangs to inject toxins into prey, represent only about 10% of all snakes. Fewer than 300 snake species are venomous, and only about half of those have a bite dangerous enough to kill a human.
Historically, snakes have held significant value to medicine. Venom extracted from different snake species has been used in medical research, or in medications to treat diseases, including arthritis, cancer, or thrombosis.
This World Snake Day, learn about seven of the deadliest and most venomous snake species in the world.
The Rainforest Trust Brazilian Amazon Fund was created in 2023 to permanently safeguard 20 million acres in Brazil by the end of 2026. Rainforest Trust’s work around the world, but especially in Brazil, will be critical to continuing to decrease deforestation rates and protecting ecologically important habitat in the most important forests across the world.
For many people, there are few creatures on Earth more terrifying than snakes. While most species of snakes are harmless, some can inflict an extremely poisonous and potentially fatal bite. Their stealthy movements, intimidating sizes, and alien appearances are enough to strike fear into the hearts of even the bravest souls.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the scariest snakes that slither across the planet and highlight what makes them so frightening. Read on if you dare!
Inland Taipan – The Most Venomous Snake in the World
Found in remote regions of Australia the inland taipan is widely considered the most venomous snake on Earth. Its highly toxic venom can kill an adult human within 45 minutes if untreated. Thankfully, antivenom is available, and there have been no reported fatalities from inland taipan bites in Australia since the antivenom was introduced in the 1950s.
With a potentially lethal bite, intimidating size (up to 6.5 feet long), and remote habitat, it’s no wonder the inland taipan tops lists of the world’s scariest snakes. Just a small amount of its venom contains enough toxin to kill over 100 grown men!
Black Mamba – One of Africa’s Deadliest
Known for its black mouth and very aggressive nature, the black mamba is feared across many parts of Africa. Found primarily in rocky savannas and woodlands, black mambas can grow up to 14 feet long and move with incredible speed.
When threatened, the black mamba will readily attack, biting repeatedly while injecting large amounts of potent neuro- and cardiotoxin with each strike. Without antivenom treatment, its bite is almost always fatal.
Overall, the black mamba’s lethal venom, intimidating size, incredible speed, and aggressive reputation make it one of the scariest serpents in all of Africa
King Cobra – The World’s Longest Venomous Snake
Growing up to 18 feet long, the king cobra is the world’s longest venomous snake. It preys on other snakes, lizards, and small mammals across South and Southeast Asia. The king cobra can deliver huge doses of neurotoxic venom with each bite.
While they are shy and will avoid humans when possible, king cobras will attack aggressively if provoked. With no available antivenom, the snake’s powerful neurotoxic venom can kill an elephant or adult human within hours.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake – A Deadly Viper of the Southeastern U.S.
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. Growing over 7 feet long and weighing up to 10 pounds, this dangerous viper delivers a hemotoxic venom capable of destroying skin tissues and causing internal bleeding.
Found in the southeastern United States, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes live in a variety of habitats from coastal marshes to rocky hillsides. With potent venom and a potentially deadly bite, this large rattlesnake deserves its scary reputation.
Saw-Scaled Viper – The Source of More Human Fatalities Than Any Other Snake
Small yet extremely toxic, the saw-scaled viper is believed responsible for more human snakebite fatalities each year than any other species. Found across northern Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka, these vipers average just 1-3 feet long but deliver a fast-acting and potentially lethal hemotoxic venom.
When threatened, saw-scaled vipers make a chilling rasping sound by rubbing their scales together. This serves as a warning to back away from this highly dangerous little serpent.
Coral Snake – The Venomous Serpent with the Bright Banded Colors
With their vivid pattern of alternating red, yellow, and black rings, coral snakes are easily identifiable. Found across the southern United States and southwards through Central and South America, coral snakes have a highly neurotoxic venom.
Coral snakes are shy by nature and will try to flee from humans when encountered. However, their venom is so potent that even a small amount introduced into the bloodstream can cause respiratory failure and death.
While coral snake bites are rare, their beautiful but deadly banded color pattern makes them quite scary to many.
Gaboon Viper – Equipped with the Longest Fangs of Any Snake
With enormous fangs reaching 2 inches long, Africa’s gaboon vipers are equipped with the longest fangs of any snake species. They use these sizable fangs to inject large amounts of hemotoxic venom that destroys tissue and causes extensive bleeding.
Gaboon vipers have a heavyset build growing over 2 feet long and weigh up to 15 pounds – making them the heaviest viper species. Slow moving yet equipped with huge fangs and highly toxic venom, these stout African serpents are high on the scare factor.
Sea Snakes – Venomous Serpents of the Indian and Pacific Oceans
While most snakes inhabit the land, there are over 60 species of highly venomous sea snakes found in warmer coastal waters from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. Most sea snakes are equipped with potent neurotoxic venom that can cause paralysis and death quite quickly if introduced into the bloodstream via a bite.
Despite their extreme toxicity, sea snakes are generally quite docile and will avoid attacking humans unless severely threatened. However, their aquatic habitat combined with lethal venom makes encountering them quite frightening for many.
Rattlesnakes – The Infamous Pit Vipers of the Americas
Known for the trademark rattle on their tails that serves as a warning when threatened, rattlesnakes are found from southern Canada through South America. They live in diverse habitats from deserts to mountains to swampland. Rattlesnakes come in many species and sizes but are all equipped with hinged, venom-injecting fangs.
While not all rattlesnake venoms produce equally severe effects in humans, they are all potentially quite dangerous. Rattlesnakes account for the majority of snake bite fatalities each year in Northern Mexico and the United States.
Spitting Cobras – The Snakes That Can Project Their Venom
While most venomous snakes must bite their victim to inject their toxin, certain cobras can actually project venom from their fangs towards the eyes of potential predators. Spitting cobras are found across parts of Africa and Asia.
Venom sprayed into eyes can cause excruciating pain, swelling, and even blindness. A bite from a spitting cobra can also be highly dangerous and even fatal without prompt medical treatment.
While snakes generally want to avoid contact with humans, some of the largest, most toxic, and most aggressive serpents in the world can potentially deliver life-threatening — and horrifying — results from their bites.
From the outback of Australia to the swamps of the southern U.S. to the deserts of Africa, scary snakes are found across the planet. Always admire wild snakes from a safe distance and treat every serpent with caution!
Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
The venom of the Inland Taipan is a mixture of neurotoxins, procoagulants, and myotoxins. In combination, these substances work to paralyze muscles of the snake’s victim, cause hemorrhaging in the blood, vessels, and tissues, inhibit breathing, and damage muscles.
The Inland Taipan’s venom is known to be the most potent venom of any snake in the world. A single bite from this reptile is deadly enough to kill one hundred humans.
Taipans are found from Australia to the southern edge of New Guinea. They can range in color from pale to dark brown and can reach lengths of nearly eight feet. They are known to feed primarily on rodents, helping to control local populations and decrease infestations.
Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)
About three feet in length, Tiger Snakes have a series of dark brown or yellow-brown bands across the back of their bodies, with a light underbelly. These reptiles primarily consume a diet of frogs, along with other reptiles, birds, fish, or small mammals.
Tiger Snakes are found across the south-eastern coast of Australia, often near creeks, rivers, or swamps. They play an important role in the environment by helping to control prey populations, including rats and mice.
Tiger Snakes are highly venomous, dangerous to humans, and have 3-5mm-long fangs that deliver venom into their prey.
The Scariest Snakes That Actually Exist
FAQ
What is the most feared snake?
The black mamba is feared because it is large and quick, and it possesses an extremely potent venom that kills most of its human victims. Despite its aggressive reputation, unprovoked attacks on humans have not been proved, and it is responsible for only a small number of deaths annually.
What is the scariest type of snake?
Many snake experts have cited the black mamba and the coastal taipan as the world’s most dangerous, albeit not the most venomous snakes. Both species are elapids, and in several aspects of morphology, ecology and behavior, the coastal taipan is strongly convergent with the black mamba.
Which snake has killed the most people?
Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus)
The snake that is thought to kill the most people annually, and therefore the world’s deadliest snake, is the saw-scaled viper, a particularly aggressive species found in the Middle East and central Asia.
What is the biggest scary snake in the world?
Green anacondas are the heaviest snakes in the world. The heaviest anaconda ever recorded was 227 kilograms. This massive snake was 8.43 metres long, with a girth of 1.11 metres. While the reticulated python is longer, it’s also slender.
What are some of the scariest snakes that actually exist?
The boomslang, which can be found throughout Africa but lives primarily in Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, is one of the most venomous of the so-called rear-fanged snakes, according to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Such snakes can fold their fangs back into their mouths when not in use.
What are the most dangerous snakes in the world?
The Elapidae is the most dangerous snake family.The world’s most dangerous snake, the black mamba is a member of this family. The most venomous land snake, the fierce snake is also a member of this family. A type of sea snake, the Hydrophis belcheri has the most toxic venom compared to all other snakes.
What are the most feared snakes in Africa?
The varieties of snakes that most often cause serious snakebites depend on the region of the world. In Africa, the most dangerous species include black mambas, puff adders, and carpet vipers.
How can you avoid being bitten by a snake?
“Respect snakes by giving them plenty of room—at least 10 feet, to be safe—and they will usually leave you alone,” the National Park Service says on its website. “Remember, snakes do not view humans as prey, but they will attack if they feel threatened, usually when you’re too close.