Endemic to semi-arid and arid areas of Australia, the inland taipan is a mammal hunting specialist and extremely venomous.
This species has enough venom in one bite to kill approximately 100 adult humans. It is the most venomous snake on Earth and one of the most venomous animals in the world. However, it is not considered to be the deadliest snake in the world because it lives in remote places and rarely encounters people.
Are inland taipans aggressive?
The inland taipan is a shy and reclusive snake that will only attack if provoked.
What do inland taipans look like?
Yellowish to brown in colour inland taipans have a streamlined, slender body and their dorsal scales create a broken herringbone pattern. They have a rectangular-shaped head, a blunt snout, short fangs and large eyes with round pupils.
Why do they change colour?
Inland taipans change colour with the seasons. The species becomes darker in winter to absorb heat and lighter in summer to stay cool.
How big are inland taipans?
Inland tapians are usually between 2 -2.7m and weigh 1-2kg
Where do inland taipans live?
According to the Australian Museum, the inland taipan lives in the Channel country (bioregion) of south-western Queensland and north-eastern South Australia. The species inhabits floodplains, gibber plains, and dunes and rocky outcrops where cover is available. It shelters in soil cracks, crevices, holes and mammal burrows to escape the intense heat.
What do inland taipans eat?
Rodents are the primary source of food for inland taipans, particularly the long-haired rat and brown plains rat but the snakes also eat dasyurids (small marsupials). The long-haired rat population experiences seasonal fluctuations: after rains, numbers boom and there is a feast for the snakes but during periods of prolonged drought, the populations of both species can decline.
How does the inland taipan hunt?
This diurnal snake is fast-moving and slender, enabling it to seek out rodents tucked away in small spaces. The inland taipan uses its tongue and Jacobson’s Organ (also known as a vomeronasal organ) to detect prey. When it gets close, the serpent corners the mammal before biting it several times in quick succession, envenomating with each strike. The inland taipan holds on to its prey after attacking it rather than moving away to avoid injury – this is because its venom acts so quickly.
Why is the inland taipan's venom so deadly?
Inland taipan venom targets the nervous and circulatory systems, immobilising prey and causing paralysis and death. In addition to being highly potent, the snake’s venom contains an enzyme that increases the rate of absorption, allowing the toxins to spread rapidly.
Anyone bitten by an inland taipan should seek medical attention immediately. However, despite the snake’s deadly reputation, there are currently no recorded human deaths due to an inland taipan bite.
How long do inland taipans live?
Their average lifespan is 10 to 15 years in captivity
How many taipan species are there?
Taipans belong to the Oxyuranus genus in the Elapidae family. These snakes are all known for their speed and high toxicity and three species are recognised: inland taipan (O. microlepidotus); central ranges or western desert taipan (O. temporalis) and coastal taipan (O. scutellatus). The latter has two subspecies: O. s. scutellatus(found in Australia) and O. s. canni, which occurs in New Guinea.
What other names is the inland taipan known by?
The inland taipan is known by several other names. The moniker fierce snake was bestowed upon this species not because of its temperament but the potency of its venom. It is also referred to as small-scaled snake, lignum snake and dandarabillaby First Nations people.
How do inland taipans breed?
Females lay between 11 and 20 eggs in holes in the ground or rock crevices. The eggs take nine to 11 weeks to hatch and young are about 47cm long. The hatchlings are lighter in colour and their venom is as strong as that of an adult. Males reach maturity at about 16 months and females at approximately 28 months. Inland taipan mating occurs in spring and reportedly males engage in competitive displays, wrestling with each other for the right to mate with a female.
What is their conservation status?
The inland taipan is Least Concern because it is widespread and isn’t considered to be declining overall. Population trends for the species are unknown and the impact of possible threats needs more research, such as the competition for its food source from non-native predators (cats and foxes). The IUCN says, “In addition, future large-scale use of waterways for irrigating surrounding areas may impact both the soil structure preferred by this species, and its rodent prey.”
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