the most dangerous snake to humans
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Topic: the most dangerous snake to humans
Posted By: Squire
Subject: the most dangerous snake to humans
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 05:12
| these are some of the worlds most dangerous snakes seven out of twelve come from Australia which one do you think it is? |
Replies:
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 05:29
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Difficult question to answer really. The most potent is the Inland Taipan, or Fierce Snake (I think you have it on the poll as 'Western Taipan'). The most aggressive is harder to classify as it is variable to a further extent. I would go with the Eastern Brown Snake (Australia), King Brown or the Black Mamba - they have serious attitude problems. Large Pythons only pose a real threat if we stumble upon them in their element, like Anacondas in a swamp. If I had to go for one snake that I think poses the most serious threat to humans, I wouldn't go past the Black Mamba, of Africa's savannah. Black Mambas are aggressive snakes that can sprint up to 20km/h - as fast as the average human. In addition to this, they are one of the most venomous snakes in the world. A Black Mambas bite delivers cardiotoxins (which attack the functioning of heart muscles) and neurotoxins (which disrupt the regular functioning of the nervous system), though as with all venomous snakes, 50% of strikes deliver 'dry bites' (no venom is discharged). As far as I know, the Black Mamba's bite has a 100% mortality rate if untreated...the highest of any snake So for me, the Black Mamba takes the cake.  - Knights - ------------- |
Posted By: Squire
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 05:38
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I voted reticulated python because it is a very good hider and it has addapted to city enviroment it can hide in trash cans closets pantrees they only need one second to rap round you and crush your bones in the click of a finger.
it is very hostile when it adapted to the city it also adapted to humans it is not afraid of us and it will attack id hungry.
it may be a contrictor but it has a nasty bite wile it crushes your bones it will go for your neck.
as nasty the black mamba and inland typan I still think the reticulated Python is the most dangerous
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Posted By: Praetor
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 07:06
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This is indeed a most difficult question and at present open to much interpretation.
Knights arguments are quite persuasive as I believe that an aggresive snake, with venom potent enough to kill a human everytime without treatment, that dwells in significant numbers, in an area with a large human population (this is the area where many of Australias most venomous snakes fall short) is the best bet for most dangerous to humans. The Black Mamba meets all these criteria to varying degrees and I am strongly considering voting for it. However there are other snakes that meet these criteria such as the Indian saw-scaled viper which as the name suggests lives in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan etc. Though not as fast as the Black Mamba it may well live in a more populated area then the African savannah (though admittedly a large portion of the saw-scaled vipers live in the desert) It also comes out in large number after rain which in the non-desert parts of India is very common. So I will hold my vote for now as the candidates are examined more closely.
Regards, Praetor. ------------- |
Posted By: Leonidas
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 08:04
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ive heard of the black (and green) mamba and Knights information was a good read with a compelling holistic argument, but... i voted for inland Taipan purely for venom strength. i can be biased. im not handing that deadliest snake award to any other country as we have soo many here.  Why arent more sea snakes included? then we have a real competition. |
Posted By: Squire
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 08:25
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because its on land snakes if it was on sea snakes aswell nearly the hole list would be sea snakes.Plus im not going to go diving any time soon. |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 08:57
These are definitely very fitting criteria, and all need to be taken into consideration when determining the world's most 'dangerous' snake. As I and you said, it is a difficult question to answer. I could easily defend the rights of an Inland Taipan, Beaked Sea Snake or King Cobra.etc to being the most dangerous snake - it comes down to opinion in the end.
Well the snake most notorious for biting people is the Russell's Viper, accounting for over 1000 deaths in Asia each year. It is common in plantations where workers use their hands and walk through long grass. Other options to consider are the Western Coral Snake Micruroides euryxanthus which is extremely toxic, even more so than the Eastern Coral Snake Micrurus fulvius. The Western Coral Snake is a shy snake and is rarely seen, but if bitten, there is no anti venom available for this species which in my opinion makes him an extremely dangerous snake. With coral snakes you can be bitten and 'envenomated' and not have any reaction for several hours (up to 24 hours or more) but once the venom does begin to react it reacts very quickly. Corals snake venom contains neurotoxins which will paralyze it's victim eventually killing it from cardiac/respiratory arrest. The list goes on...
I'd be perfectly content with going along with the Fierce Snake (Inland Taipan) being the most dangerous, there isn't really much difference, when it comes down to it. Overall, we Aussies annihilate the competition in terms of dangerous snakes.
Squire, the Sea Krait is on there is it not - that's not an entirely terrestrial snake. Either way, the Beaked Sea Snake should be on the list...and possibly yellow bellied Sea Snake. Good list still, because people can bring up those non mentioned. - Knights - ------------- |
Posted By: red clay
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 09:15
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The Eastern Cotton Mouth, 80% deadly without treatment and can be extremely agressive. It's most commonly found in the Southeast US, with a sub specie found in Florida. It's also called a Water Moccasin.
------------- "Arguing with someone who hates you or your ideas, is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what move you make, your opponent will walk all over the board and scramble the pieces". Unknown. |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 09:26
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The Eastern Cottonmouth would have to be a contender too. I would say that being bitten by one of them and surviving would be amongst the worst. An Eastern Cottonmouth has haemotoxic enzymes and other proteins that are present in the venom. Haemotoxins have horrific consequences, as the haemotoxins attack the red blood cells and muscles/tissues and organs. Haemolysis occurs and terrible tissue destruction follows. Haemotoxins cause a far slower and more painful death, as you do not become paralyzed (neurotoxins). The Russell's Viper mentioned above also has haemotoxins. - Knights - ------------- |
Posted By: rider
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 14:18
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I voted King Brown due to it's aggressive temper but... I am sure that any snake which has enough willpower will kill a man... (oh.. how I loved "Snakes On a Plane".... "I've had it with these motha****ing snakes on this motha****ing plane..":D
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Posted By: pekau
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 22:55
Agreed. ------------- http://swagbucks.com/refer/Malachi"> 
Join us. |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 14-Apr-2007 at 23:23
King Brown...I always thought Eastern Browns to be more aggressive, could be wrong though. Any snake that has the willpower will kill a man? How about the Antillean Thread Snake of the West-Indies?  After some research, I have compiled a short overview of the top 3 most dangerous snakes, in my opinion. (No particular order, and sketchy at this stage) Black Mamba Dendroaspis
polylepis
A very small viper native
to Central Asia, Middle East and
Russell's Viper Green Anaconda It really is a terribly hard thing to judge, and I'm up for opinions and disagreements. Common Name Number of Asian cobras - 15,000 Saw scaled vipers - 10,000 Russell’s viper - 5,000 Kraits - 3,000 Lance-headed vipers - 3,000 Burnie, D. (2004). "Animal - the definitive visual guide" Dorling Kindersley, London. pp376-399 #_ftnref1 - - [1] Family: Elapidae. Species: 291. Accounting for less than 1/10 of all snake species, all elapids are venomous and include cobras, mambas, kraits, sea snakes. Classified by the positioning of the fangs in the jaw. #_ftnref2 - - [2] Ali G,
Kak M, Kumar M, Bali SK, Tak SI, Hassan G, Wadhwa MB. 2004. Acute renal failure
following echis carinatus (saw–scaled viper) envenomation. Indian Journal of
Nephrology 14:177-181 ------------- |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 01:04
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I just watched Steve Irwin's Top Ten Deadliest (Most Venomous) Snakes in the World Documentary, and to no surprise, all of them are in Australia. It is available on YouTube in 3 parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XKl_vXRzfM - Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tukJ6B7_CRo&NR=1 - Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhyXN5vgM7k&NR=1 - Part 3 The order of top ten deadliest snakes varies from website to website, so I thought I'd take the experts opinion, that of Steve. Here is the list he presents. Please note, this is the ten most venomous, which is fact based on LD50* testing/sampling and the like. The ten most dangerous are more subjective, and open to interpretation. 10) Western Brown Snake (Aus) Pseudonaja nuchalis 9) Death Adder (Aus) Acanthophis cummingi 8) Giant/Chappel Island Tiger Snake (Aus) Notechis ater serventyi 7) Western Australian Tiger Snake (Aus) Notechis ater occidentalis 6) Beaked Sea Snake (Aus) Enhydrina schistosa 5) Revesby Island Tiger Snake (Aus) Notechis ater niger 4) Eastern/Common Tiger Snake (Aus) Notechis scutatus 3) Coastal/Eastern Taipan (Aus) Oxyuranus scutellatus 2) Eastern/Common Brown Snake (Aus) Pseudonaja textilis 1) Fierce Snake or Inland/Western Taipan (Aus) Oxyuranus microlepidotus However, the relative toxicity of the top ten most venomous snakes differs to Steve's slightly, according to Venom researcher Peter Mirtschin of Australia:
The reason for differing results is probably due to varying discharge of venom during LD50 testing. The only difference is the Eastern Tiger Snake and Revesby Island Tiger Snake, who have alternated no.4 and 5. So there you have it, a pretty comprehensive overview of the world's most venomous (not dangerous!) snakes. Slightly off-topic, this is Knights's favourite snake, the beautiful Black Headed Python Aspidites melanocephalus, of Australia. They have such a docile and friendly nature.  Such magnificent colouration and markings ^ * Lethal Dose per 50% of tested population. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LD50 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LD50 I know Squire voted Reticulated Python, Leonidas, Fierce Snake, Rider, King Brown Snake and myself, the Black Mamba. May I ask which other two people voted for the Black Mamba?  - Knights - EDIT: Scientific names sourced from: Burnie, D. (2004). "Animal - the definitive visual guide" Dorling Kindersley, London. pp378-399 ------------- |
Posted By: Cywr
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 07:59
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Black mambas are also supposed to be pretty agressive. They get my vote.
-------------  Arrrgh!!"
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Posted By: rider
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 09:57
Speaking of yourself in third-person isn't usually a sign that everything is okay:D... But... I think that the Mamba should be on the 10 Most Killersnake List. BTW, do you think that the Green Mamba might have more kills per year than the Black one? ------------- |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 10:08
In this case, it is a sign of good health  I wouldn't imagine that the Green Mamba would cause more fatalities. My reasoning being: - it is mainly arboreal and does not spend much time on the ground, where humans usually are... - they are far less aggressive than their Black cousins - smaller, therefore less of a venom yield - far less potent venom - Knights - ------------- |
Posted By: rider
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 10:19
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Well, but when people climb trees? I think they kill more people in that... (I'd imagine an inter-Mamba trap... Black follows person to a tree, Green ambushes from the tree:D). BTW, what was the snake that killed one of the Mayans in the Apocalypto? It seemed pretty fierce (attacked without reason)... ------------- |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 10:27
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Well, I have not seen Apocalypto, but I think I might have an idea which snake it might be. My guess would either be the... Common Lancehead Bothrops atrox  or the Bushmaster Lachesis muta  If it doesn't seem to be either of those, let me know, I have a few other options. - Knights - ------------- |
Posted By: rider
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 10:29
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It doesn't seem to be either... I think it had a greenish colour. Not sure however, don't remember well. It wasn't definetly as large as the Bushmaster... The snake was residing on a tree branch it seemed to, it turned when the person stopped at the tree, bit and jumped to the ground trying to get away. ------------- |
Posted By: rider
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 10:44
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Hmmh. I was thinking, perhaps you could also present what you think are the three most poisonous or killing sea snakes in the world (might as well do it to five sea ones). Sea snakes aren't especially common in Europe and it might be more interesting than the ordinary land ones. Thanks, ------------- |
Posted By: Squire
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 19:28
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Persons Killed 9 The photo at right was in 2005 when a released python pet ate a 6 foot long alligator and burst open.
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Posted By: red clay
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 21:23
Also, don't let anyone try to tell you that snake isn't agressive. I've seen 1-2 sites that say that. Bull, that snake will go after you if it feels like it.
------------- "Arguing with someone who hates you or your ideas, is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what move you make, your opponent will walk all over the board and scramble the pieces". Unknown. |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 15-Apr-2007 at 23:01
Those statistics, wouldn't they be for the alligator rather than the python? Especially considering 'reported incidents in Florida'. Anyway, bursting open like that can't be too good for the snake.... Here is a fairly disturbing image. Please note, it is a bit disturbing, so only open it if you feel inclined. http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/gallery/displaycomments.php?pos=-1428 - http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/gallery/displaycomments.php?pos=-1428 Red Clay: Eastern Cottonmouths are very feisty indeed! Again, one of the few snakes that will go out of their way to attack. Bad tempered little things! - Knights - ------------- |
Posted By: northpakistani
Date Posted: 17-Apr-2007 at 00:14
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Some Australian snake, I remember Steve mentioned it in one of his documentaries. Too bad he died by the electric snake..should've put that on the list. lolz ------------- A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be. -- Albert Einstein |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 17-Apr-2007 at 05:31
Stingray...?
The top three most dangerous sea snakes is a lot harder to define, mainly because most are placid and non-aggressive, and also classification problems. For instance, there are true, ovoviviparous* sea snakes Hyrdophiinae and there are Laticaudinae, oviparous** sea snakes which are amphibious. Those species in Hydrophiinae are completely aquatic, the true sea snakes, retaining eggs in the body until they are ready to hatch. Those in Laticaudinae live on both land and water, most returning to land to lay eggs. For this exercise, I will culminate both subfamilies into my list. Banded Sea Krait Laticauda colubrina The Banded Sea Krait is an amphibious, oviparous snake which lives in the reefs around South East Asia. They are generally non aggressive and keep to themselves. If they bit, they deliver deadly neurotoxins (see other posts) and myotoxins into the victim. Myotoxins cause severe breakdown (death of cells) of muscle, muscle paralysis, and then death due to paralysis of the diaphragm muscles. The neurotoxins attack the nervous system and brain at the same time, destroying neurons and paralysing the victim wherever the neurons are destroyed. Monovalent*** antivenin is available for Sea Krait bite victims, and if medicated soon after injection, chances of survival are high. In summary, the Sea Krait is an inquisitive snake, though not aggressive unless provoked. However, due to its curiosity, it is known for approaching swimmers. The swimmers - not knowing how to handle it - grab it, therefore provoking it and, wham, bitten. The venom gets to work, and paralysis at sea is a lot worse than on land due to relative isolation. Also, Sea Kraits do not give any warning before attack. Note, the molecular structuring of Sea Krait's venom is different from all other snakes and is used to treat muscular diseases. Further research is being done into medicinal benefits.  Beaked Sea Snake Enhydrina schistosa The Beaked Sea Snake is by far the most aggressive of all Sea Snakes. Just like an Eastern Cottonmouth or Mamba, they are known to just attack for no reason. These are among the most venomous snakes on earth as well, far more so than the Kraits. Being ovoviviparous, the Beaked lives entirely in water and gives birth to eggs which hatch immediately after developing within the body. Again possessing neurotoxins and myotoxins, this snake is deadly unless treated quickly. In summary, the Beaked Sea Snake is an aggressive and contentious snake, accounting for over 50% of sea snake bites, and over 90% of fatalities from sea snakes. They are extremely venomous too.  To be honest, I cannot choose a third, seeing as all other sea snakes are docile and are inseparable when it comes to dangerousness. If you want me to get some information about others tell me and I'll see what I can do. Sea Snake venom tends to be largely neurotoxic. Neurotoxins are injected in rather small quantities and require to travel fair distances through the body (but upon reaching the location are fatal almost immediately). Consequently, nuerotoxicity is easily treated as long as antivenin is administered quickly. Cytotoxins and Haemotoxins of Vipers/Pit Vipers does damage upon contact (terrible local implications) and is injected in large quantities. The effect lasts longer and is more painful though, but is harder to produce an antivenin for. Also, I felt to mention the snake with the longest fangs - the Gaboon Viper, Bitis gabonicus, of Western and Central Africa. This snake possesses wonderful camouflage, and its fangs can be up to 4cm, 1.6inches. Some say they can get to 2 inches....   *Reproducing with eggs that hatch as they are laid or very soon afterwards. While the egg retains within the mother, no connection with the mother (like with the placenta/umbilical cord in mammals for example) is evident, the egg contains all the needed nutrients **Reproducing by laying eggs, external to the body ***Monovalent antivenin only applies for one type of snake's venom, polyvalent can be used to treat 2 more types - Knights - ------------- |
Posted By: rider
Date Posted: 17-Apr-2007 at 14:16
Magnificent... but I found a mistake:
Entirely wrong, they only attack on Tuesdays or it is the second or third week of the month. That's scientifically proven btw... ------------- |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 17-Apr-2007 at 18:54
Oh, is that true Rider? I was never aware of that... Well, next time you are swimming on the Great Barrier Reef, feel free to put your hand into one of their mouths - don't worry it won't bite, as long as it's a Tuesday or it is the second or third week of the month.
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Posted By: rider
Date Posted: 18-Apr-2007 at 08:55
I think sciences just bounce off you... You can put your hand into their mouth, if it ISN'T a Tuesday or the second or third week of the month. ------------- |
Posted By: Knights
Date Posted: 18-Apr-2007 at 08:58
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Well I know that, but according to this 'scientific fact' of yours, they will not bite/attack you on those days Back on topic?
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Posted By: Athanasios
Date Posted: 30-Apr-2007 at 19:26
I'll trust my killer instinct and i'll vote for black mamba as well ------------- 
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Posted By: Athanasios
Date Posted: 30-Apr-2007 at 19:51
 I think that's because of the primitive instinct of survival...
I think that all beings act on a certain way when they feel in danger , likely they are "programmed" by their nature(but this is an irresponsible statement). I think that a zoologist would define an answer but is likely that this reaction is connected with the sensitive nervous sytem of the snakes  ...-------------
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