Inland Taipan

The Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), also known as the Small Scaled Snake and Fierce Snake, is a highly venomous snake that lives in Australia, notorious for having the most potent venom of any species of snake in the world.^[1][2] The Fierce Snake or Inland Taipan is a species of Taipan belonging to the Elapidae family.

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Venom

A single bite from the Inland Taipan contains enough venom to kill as many as 100 human adults, or 250,000 mice. The average venom yield of this snake is 44 mg, with a 110-mg being the largest recorded yield. Its venom is 50 times more toxic than that of the Indian Cobra and 650 - 850 times more toxic than that of a Western- or Eastern Diamondback. The Inland Taipan has an extremely neurotoxic venom which can cause death to a adult human in as little as 45 minutes. Although highly venomous it is a relatively timid snake provided that it is left alone. Even so, if it is suspected that a bite from this snake has occurred, medical attention should be sought immediately. Although known as the most venomous land snake in the world, there have been no documented human fatalities. All known bites have been treated using antivenom.

Appearance

The Inland Taipan is dark tan in color, ranging from a rich, dark hue to a brownish olive-green (depending on season). Its back, sides and tail may be different shades of brown and grey, with many individual scales having a wide blackish edge. These dark-marked scales occur in diagonal rows so that the marks align to form broken chevrons of variable length that are inclined backward and downward. The lowermost lateral scales often have an anterior yellow edge. The dorsal scales are smooth and without keels. The round-snouted head and neck are usually noticeably darker than the body (glossy black in winter, dark brown in summer), the darker colour allowing the snake to heat itself while only exposing a smaller portion of the body at the burrow entrance. The eye is of average size with a blackish brown iris and without a noticeable coloured rim around the pupil. It has twenty-three rows of mid-body scales, between fifty-five and seventy divided subcaudal scales, and one anal scale. The Inland Taipan averages approximately two metres (about 6.6 feet) in length, although larger specimens have been found.

Seasonal Adaptation

Inland Taipan adapt to their environment by changing the colour of the skin during seasonal changes. Inland Taipan tend to be lighter in summer and darker in winter. This seasonal colour change serves in thermoregulation, allowing the snake to absorb more light (thence converted to heat) in the colder months.

Geographical Distribution

The Inland Taipan is native to the arid regions of central Australia, extending from the southeast part of the Northern Territory, and into west Queensland. The Inland Taipan can also be found north of Lake Eyre and to the west of the split of the Murray River, Darling River and Murrumbidgee River.

Behaviour

Inland Taipan are known to live in holes, and feed on small rodents such as mice and rats. Despite its other common name (Fierce Snake), the Inland Taipan are not known to be particularly aggressive, but docile. They will strike if provoked, however, injecting their incomparably toxic venom. (See above)

Diet

The Inland Taipan consumes small rodents, mainly rats. They kill their prey by attacking in quick, rapid strikes injecting highly toxic venom into their victim.

Reproduction

Inland Taipan produce clutches of between one and two dozen eggs (12–24). The eggs hatch approximately two months after laying. The eggs are usually laid in abandoned animal burrows and deep crevices. Their reproduction rate also depends on their diet. If there are not enough rats then the snake will reproduce less.

References

• Australian Reptile Park, Fierce Snake Fact File
• Australian Zoo Fierce Snake Fact File
• Fierce Snake Venom Information

Notes