Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I can't think of any other place to ask this so I'm just posting it here. If you know of somewhere better, let me know.

I am working on a project where I need a list of the Top 10 Most Venomous animals (not just snakes) and the Top 10 Most Poisonous animals. Its easy to find a list for snakes, but I can't seem to find one that includes all types of animals. All I can find is the Box Jellyfish is number 1. If there were LD50 numbers associated with the animals, that would be a great bonus! Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sal

There is no list as exactly per what you are asking for. The invertebrates are on average much more toxic than the most toxic snake (the Inland Taipan, Oxyuranus scutellatus). This includes spiders, scorpions, cone snails, etc. One things that balances it in their favor is that their toxins are on average anywhere from 1/2 to 1/100th the size.Venom is tested by weight rather than molar content. Thus, they can have 2 to 100 times the number of active molecules in there. This of course would artificially change their LD50 by a considerable amount. That said, the invertebrate neurotoxins are very toxic.As for the box jellyfish being number one. Perhaps by speed and agony of death but not necessarily by LD50.

Rather than listing by LD50, it might be more interesting to list by toxin class. The neurotoxic three finger toxins in snakes would give the conotoxins a good run for their money. The neurotoxin complex in Pseudonaja textilis (Eastern brown snake) would give anything a good workout.

Cheers
BGF
Venom & Toxin Database

I don't know the top 10 most venomous animals but here are some that would certainly be up there.
The Sydney funnel spider (Atrax robustus) of Australia is often quoted as being the spider with the most dangerous venom.
On the other hand; according to the Guinness Book of Records the world’s most venomous spiders is the Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria nigriventer).
This spider is believed to have the most active neurotoxic venom of any living spider. Its venom is so potent that only 0.006mg (0.00000021oz) is sufficient to kill a mouse.
The most venomous scorpions are the Fat-tail and deathstalker scorpions. There are a few species quite capable of killing humans.
The most venomous snakes would be:
1. Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
2. Common or Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
3. Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scuttelatus)
With the Inland Taipan having a venom 50 times more toxic than the Indian Cobra Naja naja. The Eastern Brown Snake being 12.5X more toxic and Coastal Taipan at 7.8X more toxic.
although the Coastal Taipan isn't the most venomous it is reguarded as the most dangerous due to its large venom yield, fang size, strike accuracy, temperament and agility. It also tends to snap repeatedly when it bites. People have died in little over 5 minutes after being bitten by one.