Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I always hear of "this certain specie of snake" is the most venomous/deadliest, yet when I read about another specie, it says this is the most venomous and so on and so forth.

I'm starting to believe websites and such just say that to make the article more interesting to read.
So based on numbers, what snake is the most venomous/deadliest? By numbers I mean, "This amount of venom per (insert measurement here) can kill a human compared to another snakes venom. Not sure if i'm explaining it right but I hope someone gets the gist of what I mean.

I just want to see what snake has the most potent venom in the world.

Please state the snake and why the snake stated is the most venomous.

The one that bites you is the most venomous LOL. However most studies are based on LD 50 which is tested on mice not humans. So it is hard to get an acurate answer. Sea snake venom is most likely the most potent. Because they need to immobilize fast moving fish quickly. However not to many people get bit by these snakes or come into contact with them. Also most sea snakes are quite docile. Now the snakes that are responsible for the most deaths a year is a diffrent story. Sawscale vipers, Ibelieve cause the most fatalities per year. (I could be wrong; but I dont think I am). In africa Water cobras are said to have the most potent venom. However they are quite docile, where as the Mamba which has potent venom and a bad temper to go with it. Most Australian elapid have real toxic venoms. In Australia there is antivenom/antivenin Here in the USA there is a lack of australian antivenom. So what I am getting to is there are a great deal of factor as to the most deadly snake. It all maters where you are when you get bit, what it you, and how you got bit (subcutaneous or intravenous). I probally added more than yu were looking for but I can go on and on. Check out the venomous fourm there are a lot of guys there with a great deal of knowledge.

Speaking of sea snakes, take a look at my Costa Rica post below for some pics. My wife and I encountered a couple of these on our honeymoon two weeks ago. They were very docile and even tolerated being picked up by myself (with a stick) and by a beach patrol officer (bare hands). They seem to be pretty helpless on land but were beautiful and fun to take pictures of.

I have also read that their venom is among the most potent in the world.
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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo, Het Anery
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Wife, Caucasius Mexicana

http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

I thought that was really the coolest find.

On land the Australian Inland Tipan, or as they call it, the fear snake.
It's venom will stop a rat the quickest in comparison to the coastal tipan, the king brown or the Tiger snake.
DoctorSydney

I too understand that the Inland Taipan drop for drop is the most toxic.

The list of snakes with most potent venom would be (both land and sea):
-Hydrophis belcheri
-Enhydrina schistosa
-Oxyuranus microlepidotus
It is not sure wich one is in the top of the list, but these snakes have stronger venom than other species.

On the land list would be:
-Oxyuranus microlepidotus
-Pseudonaja textilis
-Oxyuranus scutellatus
-Notechis ater
-Notechis scutatus

Another taipan - Oxyuranus temporalis, was discovered in 2007. This snake is probably in the top five too

The most dangerous snake would be black mamba - Dendroaspis polylepis, considering its venom, size, speed and temperament. Snake Echis carinatus kills the largest number of people.