10(+) Venomous Snakes Page II

We are still listing. Its never going to get less deadlier because the name snake and deadly are synonyms in my book. The list continues...

7. Philippine Cobra

Facts

•  Most species of Cobra would not make this list; however the Philippine Cobra is the exception. Drop for drop, its venom is the most deadly of all the Cobra species, and they are capable of spitting it up to 3 metres. 

• It's venom is a neurotoxin which affects cardiac and respiratory function, and can cause neurotoxicity, respiratory paralysis and death in thirty minutes. 

• It's bite causes only minimal tissue damage. The neurotoxins interrupt the transmission of nerve signals by binding to the neuro-muscular junctions near the muscles. 

• It's symptoms might include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, collapse and convulsions

 6. Tiger Snake

Facts

• Found in Australia, the Tiger snake has a very potent neurotoxic venom. 

• Death from a bite can occur within 30 minutes, but usually takes 6-24 hours. 

• Symptoms can include localized pain in the foot and neck region, tingling, numbness and sweating, followed by a fairly rapid onset of breathing difficulties and paralysis. 

• The Tiger snake will generally flee if encountered, but can become aggressive when cornered. It strikes with unerring accuracy. 

Prior to the development of antivenin, the fatality rate from Tiger snakes was 60-70%. 


5. Black Mamba

Facts

• The feared Black Mamba is found throughout many parts of the African continent. They are known to be highly aggressive, and strike with deadly precision. 

• They are the fastest land snake in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 20km/h. 

• These fearsome snakes can strike up to 12 times in a row. 

• A single bite is capable of killing anywhere from 10-25 adults.

• The venom is a fast acting neurotoxin. Its bite delivers about 100–120 mg of venom, on average; however, it can deliver up to 400 mg. 

• If the venom reaches a vein, 0.25 mg/kg is sufficient to kill a human in 50% of cases. 

• The initial symptom of the bite is local pain in the bite area, although not as severe as snakes with hemotoxins. The victim then experiences a tingling sensation in the mouth and extremities, double vision, tunnel vision, severe confusion, fever, excessive salivation (including foaming of the mouth and nose) and pronounced ataxia (lack of muscle control). 

• If the victim does not receive medical attention, symptoms rapidly progress to severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, pallor, shock, nephrotoxicity, cardio toxicity and paralysis. Eventually, the victim experiences convulsions, respiratory arrest, coma and then death. 

• Depending on the nature of the bite, death can result at any time between 15 minutes and 3 hours.

Without antivenin, the mortality rate is nearly 100%, among the highest of all venomous snakes.


4. Taipan

Facts

• Another entry from Australia, the venom in a Taipan is strong enough to kill up to 12,000 guinea pigs.

• The venom clots the victim’s blood, blocking arteries or veins.

•  It is also highly neurotoxic.

•  Before the advent of an antivenin, there are no known survivors of a Taipan bite, and death typically occurs within an hour

•  Even with successful administration of antivenin, most victims will have an extensive stay in intensive care.

•  It has been likened to the African Black Mamba in morphology, ecology and behavior. 

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