Global InformationInland taipan information
| Inland taipan | |
|---|---|
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| Oxyuranus microlepidotus at Australia Zoo | |
Conservation status
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 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Oxyuranus |
| Species: | O. microlepidotus
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| Binomial name | |
| Oxyuranus microlepidotus (F. McCoy, 1879)
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| General range of inland taipan (in red). The current, documented range of the species is more limited.[2][3][4] | |
| Synonyms | |
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The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), also commonly known as the western taipan, small-scaled snake, or fierce snake,[6] is a species of extremely venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to semiarid regions of central east Australia.[7] Aboriginal Australians living in those regions named the snake dandarabilla.[8][9] It was formally described by Frederick McCoy in 1879 and then by William John Macleay in 1882, but for the next 90 years, it was a mystery to the scientific community; no further specimens were found, and virtually nothing was added to the knowledge of this species until its rediscovery in 1972.[8][10]
Based on the median lethal dose value in mice, the venom of the inland taipan is by far the most toxic of any snake – much more so than even that of sea snakes[11][12][13] – and it has the most toxic venom of any reptile when tested on human heart cell culture.[14][15][16] The inland taipan is a specialist hunter of mammals, so its venom is specially adapted to kill warm-blooded species.[17] One bite possesses enough lethality to kill more than an estimated 100 fully grown humans.[18] It is an extremely fast and agile snake that can strike instantly with extreme accuracy,[19] often striking multiple times in the same attack,[20] and it envenomates in almost every case.[21]
Although the most venomous and a capable striker, in contrast to the coastal taipan, which many experts cite as an extremely dangerous snake due to its behaviour when it encounters humans,[22][23][24] the inland taipan is usually quite a shy and reclusive snake, with a placid disposition,[25] and prefers to escape from trouble.[26] However, it will defend itself and strike if provoked,[27] mishandled,[28] or prevented from escaping.[29] Because it lives in such remote locations, the inland taipan seldom comes in contact with people;[30] therefore it is not considered the deadliest snake in the world overall, especially in terms of disposition and human deaths per year.[31] The word "fierce" from its alternative name describes its venom, not its temperament.[32]
- ^ Wilson, S.; Dickman, C.; Hobson, R.; Sanderson, C. (2018). "Oxyuranus Scutellatus also known as the inland taipan". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T42493150A42493160. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T42493150A42493160.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Animals of Queensland. Western Taipan Oxyuranus microlepidotus. Queensland Museum. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Australian Reptile Online Database (28 March 2007). Inland taipan distribution. arod.com.au. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Oxyuranus microlepidotus (McCoy, 1879) Western Taipan. Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Fohlman, J. (1979). "Comparison of two highly toxic Australian snake venoms: The taipan (Oxyuranus s. scutellatus) and the fierce snake (Parademansia microlepidotus)". Toxicon. 17 (2): 170–2. doi:10.1016/0041-0101(79)90296-4. PMID 442105.
- ^ White, Julian (November 1991). Oxyuranus microlepidotus. "Neurotoxic paralysis usually takes 2-4 hours to become clinically detectable. Coagulopathy however may become well established within 30 minutes of a bite" International Programme on Chemical Safety. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Cecilie Beatson (29 November 2011). Animal Species: Inland Taipan Australian Museum. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ a b Queensland Snakes. History & Discovery. (archived) Queensland Museum. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
- ^ Pearn, John; Winkel, Kenneth D. (December 2006). "Toxinology in Australia's colonial era: A chronology and perspective of human envenomation in 19th century Australia". Toxicon. 48 (7): 726–737. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2006.07.027. PMID 16996551.
- ^ Rediscovery. The Rediscovery of the Western Taipan. (archived) Queensland Museum. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
- ^ * The Australian venom research unit (25 August 2007). "Which snakes are the most venomous?" Archived 2014-06-26 at the Wayback Machine. University of Melbourne. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- Venom Immunochemistry, Pharmacology and Emergency Response (VIPER) Institute. Frequently Asked Questions -What is the most venomous snake? Archived 2018-07-15 at the Wayback Machine. "Many experts answer that it is the Inland Taipan of Australia, because its drop-by-drop concentration of venom has great potency when measured by its ability to kill rodents". University of Arizona. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Frequently Asked Questions About Venomous Snakes. "A comparative study found that the snake venom that is most toxic to mice (of the species tested) is that of the Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), found in Australia". University of Florida. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
- Hodgson WC, Dal Belo CA, Rowan EG (2007). "The neuromuscular activity of paradoxin: a presynaptic neurotoxin from the venom of the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)". Neuropharmacology. 52 (5): 1229–36. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2007.01.002. PMID 17313963. S2CID 19532337.
The inland taipan is the world's most venomous snake
- Bell, Karen L; Sutherland, Struan K; Hodgson, Wayne C (1998). "Some pharmacological studies of venom from the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)". Toxicon. 36 (1): 63–74. doi:10.1016/S0041-0101(97)00060-3. PMID 9604283.
The Inland Taipan is believed to have the most toxic venom in the world (Sutherland, 1994)
- Journal of Herpetology Vol.17 no.1 (1983) Ecology of Highly Venoumous Snakes: the Australian Genus Oxyuranus. "..the number of mouse LD50 doses per bite is much higher for Oxyuranus microlepidotus (218,000 mice)...than for any other snakes, including sea snakes, investigated to date (Broad, Sutherland and Coulter, 1979)." (page 1) University of Sydney. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^
- LISTS. Nine of the World's Deadliest Snakes. "#1: The snake with the world's deadliest venom - Oxyuranus microlepidotus". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
- BBC Nature Wildlife. Inland Taipan page. "Australia's inland taipan is considered to be the most venomous snake in the world". BBC. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- Cecilie Beatson (29 November 2011). Animal Species: Inland Taipan "The venom of the Inland Taipan is extremely potent and is rated as the most toxic of all snake venoms in LD50 tests on mice". Australian Museum. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- Steve Irwin presentation .Australia Zoo Tour with Steve Irwin (1m54s) "..the number 1 most venomous snake in the entire world, the fierce snake". Australia Zoo (official Youtube Channel). Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ Inland Taipan Venom vs. Sea Snakes Venom (most notable Belcher's sea snake)
- Oakley, Cecily (2011). Interview with Associate Professor Bryan Fry Biochemist and molecular biologist Archived 2013-10-22 at the Wayback Machine. "...For my PhD, I worked on the inland taipan, which is the world's most venomous snake...". Australian Academy of Science. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- Fry, Brian site admin (10 April 2005) Most Venomous Archived 2014-10-17 at the Wayback Machine, Question: " ...I was talking to another herpatolagist and he said the hook nosed sea snake was the most venomous of all" Fry Answers: "The hook nosed myth was due to a fundamental error in a book called 'Snakes in question'. In there, all the toxicity testing results were lumped in together, regardless of the mode of testing (e.g. subcutaneous vs. intramuscular vs intravenous vs intraperitoneal). As the mode can influence the relative number, venoms can only be compared within a mode. Otherwise, its apples and rocks." Venomdoc forums. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- kingsnake.com September Guest Chatter (16 September 2006).Q&A with Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry, Deputy Director, Australian Venom Research Unit, University of Melbourne Archived 2012-10-15 at the Wayback Machine. "Q: In retrospect to the LD50 charts, what do you personally feel is the hottest snake, in regards to potency, defensiveness, means of injection, etc.? A: It is the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus). Not, as is popularised, any of the sea snakes." connectedbypets.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- Garden of Eden Exotics (2 May 2012) Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry – Interview "...The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is far and away the most toxic, much more so than even sea snakes." nyexotics.blogspot.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ Fry, Bryan Archived 2014-04-19 at the Wayback Machine (8 February 2005) Most Venomous Archived 2014-10-17 at the Wayback Machine,"Q;I was wondering what snakes venom is the most potent to humans A:Drop for drop it is the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), which has a venom more toxic than any other land snake or even the sea snakes." venomdoc.com Forums, Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ Seymour, Jamie, World's Worst Venom, (Min 44.33) "Among the reptiles tested, the most toxic venom belongs to inland taipan, killing over 60% of heart cells in the first 10 minutes" National Geographic Channel. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ Seymour, Jamie, Venom Death Match "They have the most toxic venom towards humans then any other snake in the world" (min 1:49) National Geographic Channel, Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^
- Shorter, Damon. Great Australian bites – Three of the worst. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- Inland Taipan Oxyuranus microlepidotus. venomsupplies.com. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ * Journal of Herpetology Vol.17 no.1 (1983) Ecology of Highly Venoumous Snakes: the Australian Genus Oxyuranus. "..the number of mouse LD50 doses per bite is much higher for Oxyuranus microlepidotus (218,000 mice)...than for any other snakes, including sea snakes, investigated to date (Broad, Sutherland and Coulter, 1979)." (page 1) University of Sydney. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- "Reptiles – Fierce Snake" Archived 2014-02-27 at the Wayback Machine. Australia Zoo. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- Martin, Stella (January 2004). Newsletter No. 80. "It has been calculated that there is enough venom in just one bite of an Inland taipan to kill more than 100 men of average size." Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland). Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- News (28 September 2012) Meet the world's deadliest snake in safety Archived 2018-07-15 at the Wayback Machine, Taronga Conservation Society. Retrieved 23 September 2014
- Carbone, Nick reporting on Steve Irwin (4 September 2011). Remembering Steve Irwin: The 5 Most Memorable Crocodile Hunter Videos "Steve Irwin Plays with Inland Taipan (Fierce Snake)". Time. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^
- (29 November 2011). Snake Bite, Raymond Hoser (Official YouTube channel). Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- Carbone, Nick reporting on Steve Irwin (4 September 2011). Remembering Steve Irwin: The 5 Most Memorable Crocodile Hunter Videos "Steve Irwin Plays with Inland Taipan (Fierce Snake)". Time. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- News (10 October 2013).Street's Corner: Houdini Heir Tries To Escape World's Deadliest Snake. KABB. (KABB "Fox San Antonio" official YouTube Channel). Retrieved 11 November 2013.
- Clinical Toxinology Resources. Snakebite Protocols – Oxyuranus microlepidotus. "Signs and Symptoms of Envenomation: E. Fang Marks: The snake strikes with extraordinary speed and accuracy, often snapping its jaws fiercely several times which can result in multiple punctures in the same attack.", "Special Considerations: A. Multiple Bites: The Inland Taipan is an extremely fast and agile snake which can strike instantly with extreme accuracy. It is possible for a Taipan to deliver more than one bite in a single attack." University of Adelaide. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^
- Seymour, Jamie, Venom deathmatch The snake demonstrates striking multiple times (min 1:49) National Geographic Channel, Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- Cecilie Beatson (29 November 2011). Animal Species: Inland Taipan. Australian Museum. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- Clinical Toxinology Resources. Snakebite Protocols – Oxyuranus microlepidotus. "Signs and Symptoms of Envenomation: E. Fang Marks: The snake strikes with extraordinary speed and accuracy, often snapping its jaws fiercely several times which can result in multiple punctures in the same attack.", "Special Considerations: A. Multiple Bites: The Inland Taipan is an extremely fast and agile snake which can strike instantly with extreme accuracy. It is possible for a Taipan to deliver more than one bite in a single attack." University of Adelaide. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ ABC News 24 (27 September 2012). Teen hospitalised after bite from deadly Taipan. (Quoting toxicologist, Dr Geoff Isbister). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ^ Haji, R. (2000). "Venomous snakes and snake bites" (PDF). Zoocheck Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ Pitman, Charles R.S. (1974). A Guide to the Snakes of Uganda. United Kingdom: Wheldon & Wesley. p. 290. ISBN 978-0-85486-020-3.
- ^ "Coastal Taipan". Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ * Cecilie Beatson (29 November 2011). Animal Species: Inland Taipan "The venom of the Inland Taipan is extremely potent and is rated as the most toxic of all snake venoms in LD50 tests on mice". Australian Museum. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- South Australia Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board. Biodiversity studies, Student fact sheet Archived 2012-03-22 at the Wayback Machine. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- Clinical Toxinology Resources. "Oxyuranus microlepidotus -General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms". University of Adelaide. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ABC News 24 (28 September 2012). 'Placid' taipan in safe hands. (Quoting licensed reptile handler, Judith {Judy} Martin). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ^
- Carbone, Nick reporting on Steve Irwin (4 September 2011). Remembering Steve Irwin: The 5 Most Memorable Crocodile Hunter Videos "Steve Irwin Plays with Inland Taipan (Fierce Snake)". Time. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- Threatened species 10 October 2012. Fierce Snake – profile. Office of Environment and Heritage (New South Wales). Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^
- Cecilie Beatson (29 November 2011). Animal Species: Inland Taipan "The venom of the Inland Taipan is extremely potent and is rated as the most toxic of all snake venoms in LD50 tests on mice". Australian Museum. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- News (10 October 2013). Street's Corner: Houdini Heir Tries To Escape World's Deadliest Snake. KABB. (KABB "Fox San Antonio" official YouTube Channel). Retrieved 11 November 2013.
- Steve Backshall (19 May 2013) film clip. The most venomous snake on earth! - Deadly 60 - BBC. BBC Earth (official YouTube channel). Retrieved 14 November 2013.
- ^
- ABC News 24 (28 September 2012). 'Placid' taipan in safe hands. (Quoting licensed reptile handler, Judith {Judy} Martin). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- (29 November 2011). Snake Bite, Raymond Hoser (Official YouTube channel). Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ Carbone, Nick reporting on Steve Irwin (4 September 2011). Remembering Steve Irwin: The 5 Most Memorable Crocodile Hunter Videos "Steve Irwin Plays with Inland Taipan (Fierce Snake)". Time. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
billabongsanctuary.com.auwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ * Venomous Snakes. World's Deadliest Snakes – Ranking scale Archived 8 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Reptile Gardens. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- Walls, Jerry G. Deadly Snakes: What are the world's most deadly venomous snakes?. Reptiles (magazine). Retrieved 5 November 2013.
- National Geographic Channel, (Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr), video clip. Deadliest Snakes / Inland Taipan "in Deadliest Snakes, Brady approaches seven of the world's most dangerous and venomous snakes to determine which snake is the deadliest. He will scientifically investigate each species of snake by grading them on five basic criteria: size, volume and toxicity of venom, personality, and number of human deaths." Reptile Gardens (video host). Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ Threatened species 10 October 2012. Fierce Snake – profile. Office of Environment and Heritage (New South Wales). Retrieved 15 October 2013.