Deadliest Reptile on Land: Is the Inland Taipan Top Contender?
In the vast and diverse landscapes of Australia, the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) reigns as the land snake with the most potent venom, boasting a lethal dose 50 percent (LD) test score of 0.025 milligrams per kilogram. However, despite this deadly venom, encounters with humans are rare due to its habitat in remote areas [2].
Conversely, in South Asia, a group of four venomous snake species, collectively known as the "Big Four," are responsible for the majority of annual snakebite deaths. These include the Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), the common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), the Indian cobra (Naja naja), and the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) [1].
The Indian cobra, with its fast-acting and potent venom, poses a significant threat, capable of causing respiratory distress and cardiac arrest within 30 minutes to 2 hours of being bitten. The common krait, on the other hand, holds the title of the most venomous snake in Asia, with its venom fifteen times more virulent than that of the Indian cobra [1].
The proximity of these snakes to human dwellings, combined with their behaviour and population density, increases the risk of lethal encounters. In India, where these four species are native, they are responsible for an estimated 46,000 to 60,000 deaths annually [1].
Interestingly, the saw-scaled viper, despite being the smallest of the Big Four, is thought to be responsible for more deaths than all other snake species combined in the areas it inhabits [1].
The issue of snakebite fatalities is not confined to South Asia. In one country, the number of deaths by snakebite exceeds any other, largely due to the presence of the Big Four. Rural and remote areas in India, with sparse and less equipped medical facilities, further increase the risk of death from snakebites due to the distance to the nearest medical facility with the correct antivenom [4].
In contrast, the inland taipan, despite its lethal venom, is considered shy and placid, making human encounters rare. One bite from the inland taipan is thought to be able to kill at least 100 adult humans, but around 11 people are known to have been bitten, with no recorded human fatalities due to the swift administration of antivenom [2].
The coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) holds the record for the most amount of venom produced in one bite, with an LD of 0.099 milligrams per kilogram. Despite this, its habitat is more coastal, and encounters with humans are less frequent [2].
The destruction of snake habitats due to human encroachment and the subsequent venturing of snakes closer to human settlements in search of food and shelter further exacerbate the problem [5].
Research suggests that the polyvalent antivenoms used to treat the Big Four bites in India may not be as effective as hoped [3]. This underscores the need for continued research and development in the field of antivenom production and administration.
In a world where human population growth and habitat destruction continue to encroach on snake habitats, understanding these deadly creatures and their venom is crucial in the fight against snakebite fatalities.
References:
[1] World Health Organization. (2019). Snakebite envenoming: a major neglected public health problem. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/snakebite-envenoming
[2] University of Melbourne. (2020). Inland Taipan. Retrieved from https://www.museumsvictoria.com.au/explore/collections/animals/reptiles/inland-taipan/
[3] WHO. (2019). Snakebite envenoming: a major neglected public health problem. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/snakebite-envenoming
[4] BBC News. (2017). India's snakebite crisis: 'It's like having a bomb in your hand'. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-42009505
[5] WHO. (2019). Snakebite envenoming: a major neglected public health problem. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/snakebite-envenoming
- The presence of the Big Four venomous snakes in South Asia, particularly in areas close to human dwellings, contributes to a significant health-and-wellness concern, as they are responsible for thousands of deaths annually and their venom can cause severe medical-conditions like respiratory distress and cardiac arrest.
- In contrast to the Big Four snakes, the inland taipan, a land snake found in Australia, possesses a highly potent venom but is considered normally shy and placid, reducing the likelihood of encounters with humans and subsequent fatalities.
- The urgent need for science and research in understanding snake venom and developing effective antivenoms is highlighted by the ongoing issue of snakebite fatalities around the globe. This knowledge is crucial in the realm of health-and-wellness, as it may help reduce the mortality rate in areas where human development is encroaching on snake habitats, potentially leading to increased encounters with venomous snakes.
