qm > Features > Snakes > Taipan

Taipans

The Coastal Taipan is potentially the world’s most dangerous land snake. This is due to the combination of

large size;

highly potent venom;

and a ‘nervous’ disposition, which means it will bite with little provocation.

There are two taipan species in Australia:

the Coastal Taipan, Oxyuranus scutellatus, from the near coastal, open forests of northern and eastern Australia; and

the Western Taipan, Oxyuranus microlepidotus, from the ashy downs of the Channel Country, south-western Queensland and north-eastern South Australia.

Why taipans have such powerful venom.
Taipans are the only snakes in Australia to prey exclusively on mammals. These mammals can defend themselves by biting savagely.

To be able to deliver potent venom rapidly and safely to kill mammal prey quickly is an obvious evolutionary advantage . In addition to having highly potent venoms, both species of taipans have extraordinarily fast, accurate 'snap-release' bites.

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