![]() ![]() The word "fierce" from its alternative name, fierce snake, describes its powerful venom. What was thought to be at the time a western brown snake was, after its rediscovery in 1972, identified as an inland taipan. In 1967 a tour guide was bitten in far southwest Queensland, and barely survived. Two specimens of the fierce snake were discovered in the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers in northwestern Victoria. The inland taipan first came to the attention of Western science in 1879. To the aboriginal people from the place now called Goyder Lagoon in north-east South Australia, the inland taipan was called Dandarabilla. The inland taipan would have been known to Aboriginal Australians 40,000-60,000 years ago and is well known to them today. Like every Australian snake, the inland taipan is protected by law. The word "fierce" from its alternative name describes its venom, not its temperament. Also, because it lives in such remote locations, the inland taipan seldom comes in contact with people therefore it is not considered the most deadly snake in the world overall, especially in terms of disposition and human deaths per year. However, it will defend itself and strike if provoked, mishandled, or prevented from escaping. It is an extremely fast and agile snake that can strike instantly with extreme accuracy, often striking multiple times in the same attack, and it envenoms in almost every case.Īlthough extremely venomous and a capable striker, in contrast to the rather aggressive coastal taipan, the inland taipan is usually quite a shy and reclusive snake, with a placid disposition, and prefers to escape from trouble. It is estimated that one bite possesses enough lethality to kill at least 100 fully grown men, and, depending on the nature of the bite, it has the potential to kill someone in as little as 30 to 45 minutes if left untreated. Unlike most snakes, the inland taipan is a specialist mammal hunter so its venom is specially adapted to kill warm-blooded species. The inland taipan is the most venomous snake in the world based on the median lethal dose value in mice, its venom, drop for drop, is by far the most toxic of any snake – much more so than even sea snakes – and it has the most toxic venom of any reptile when tested on human heart cell culture. Aboriginal Australians living in those regions named the snake Dandarabilla. The inland taipan ( Oxyuranus microlepidotus), also commonly known as the western taipan, the small-scaled snake, or the fierce snake, is an extremely venomous snake of the taipan ( Oxyuranus) genus, and is endemic to semi-arid regions of central east Australia. However the recent discovery of a specimen at Pullenvale by Snake Catchers Brisbane in December 2011 constitutes the first reliable record by a snake catcher for the South East.Places where the Inland Taipan lives (in red) Correspondence with licensed snake relocators across the known distribution of the species have not accounted for a single specimen within a residential property over the past 20 years. The discovery of a Taipan around the home would be considered an extremely rare occurrence within South East Qld. This specimen is the closest ever recorded to the Brisbane CBD and is the first to ever be recorded in Brisbanes western suburbs. Snake catchers Brisbane recently recorded a Taipan in Pullenvale, west of Brisbane. Recent localities include the Samford Valley, the lowlands west of Mt Glorious, Beaudesert and Borallon, North West of Ipswich. The Taipan is uncommonly sighted throughout the Greater Brisbane region with the majority of records within the last 30 years being of road killed specimens. Specialises in mammals like mice, rats and bandicoots. Secretive, highly alert snake that is rarely seen even in areas where they are apparently common. ![]() Mostly active during the day, especially warm and hot mornings. Habitat in SE Qld:ĭry open forest, grassy woodlands and cane-fields. Average Length:Īverage up to 2 metres, but although rare, individuals have been recorded to nearly 3 metres in total length. Belly cream with orange spots and blotches. Snout and face generally paler than body colour, otherwise uniform colouring along upper body ranging from pale brown to almost black. Bites from this species should be treated immediately and attended to with correct first aid.General description: Often referred to as Australia's most dangerous snake. A nervous, ready biter it will defend itself with multiple strikes if threatened. Bites from this species have caused human fatalities.
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