THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA - ELAPIDS

AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PHOTOS AND INFORMATION
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REPTILES OF THE WORLD SPECIES LISTS


INLAND TAIPAN (Fierce Snake)
Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Dangerously Venomous


Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) photographed at Australia Zoo

 
 
Approximate distribution of the Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is marked in orange

Captive Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
Captive Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)



Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) photographed at Featherdale Wildlife Park, NSW





This light coloured Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) was photographed at Featherdale Wildlife Park, NSW


This dark coloured Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) was photographed at Taronga Park Zoo, Sydney, NSW


Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) was photographed at Taronga Park Zoo, Sydney, NSW


INLAND TAIPAN (Fierce Snake) - Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) showing head scalation


INLAND TAIPAN (Fierce Snake) - Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)

INLAND TAIPAN (Fierce Snake) - Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)

INLAND TAIPAN (Fierce Snake) - Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)


INLAND TAIPAN (Fierce Snake) - Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Inland Taipans (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) mating.


Graeme Gow freehandling anInland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) at Graeme Gow's Reptile World (no longer operating) - Humpty Doo NT.

Graeme Gow free handling an Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) at Graeme Gow's Reptile World (no longer operating) - Humpty Doo NT.


Note that the darkness of the patterning on this species (and some other reptile species) appears to vary depending on the time of year, and it is darker in the cooler weather.

This species is often listed as having the most potent venom of any species of snake in the world. However people rarely get bitten by this species and as far as I know, there have been no deaths from this species.
Note that the species that is often listed as having the second most potent venom in the world is the Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) and the species often listed as having the 3rd most potent venom in the world is the Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus ) - note that the toxicity of the venom does not usually correlate with the number of people that die from bites from that species, or to the chance of surviving a bite from that species as there are several other factors involved

Venomous snakes do not always inject venom when biting, however due to the extremely high toxicity of the venom of this species (possibly the most toxic snake venom in the world), it is vital that first aid is performed immediately (Constrictive bandage etc) and the patient is taken immediately to hospital. Lack of symptoms may not mean that the victim has not been envenomated.

Correct and immediate first aid and treatment for this species and other dangerous snakes increases the chance of survival.

Although people are commonly bitten by dangerous snakes in Australia, the actual number of deaths is actually very low, due to antivenines and medical procedures.


THERE ARE 3 SPECIES OF TAIPAN FOUND IN AUSTRALIA

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC NAME

DISTRIBUTION

Inland Taipan or Fierce Snake

Oxyuranus microlepidotus

NSW, Qld, SA, Vic(?) NT?

Coastal Taipan

Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus

NSW, NT, Qld, WA

Western Desert or Central Ranges Taipan

Oxyuranus temporalis

WA, NT (no records From SA but likely to occur)


LINKS OF INTEREST

Click here for more Information about Australian Elapid Snakes

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Elapids

Elapids

Elapids
of
The World

Elapids
of
Australia

AUSTRALIAN ELAPID SPECIES LISTS BY STATE OR TERRITORY



Elapids of South Australia

ELAPID SNAKES OF NSW

Qld ELAPID SNAKES - Elapidae Cobras Coral Snakes

NT ELAPID SNAKES - Elapidae Cobras Coral Snakes

WA ELAPID SNAKES - Elapidae Cobras Coral Snakes

ELAPID SNAKES OF VICTORIA

Elapids of ACT

ELAPIDS OF TASMANIA

Elapids
of South
Australia

Elapids
of
NSW

Elapids
of
Qld

Elapids
of
NT

Elapids
of
WA

Elapids
of
Victoria

Elapids
of
ACT

Elapids
of
Tasmania

AUSTRALIAN REPTILE SPECIES LISTS BY STATE OR TERRITORY

Reptiles of South Australia
REPTILES OF VICTORIA
 REPTILES OF NSW REPTILES OF QUEENSLAND REPTILES OF NORTHERN TERRITORY REPTILES OF Western Australia Reptiles of the ACT(Canberra)

Reptiles of South Australia

Reptiles
of
Victoria

Reptiles
of
NSW

Reptiles
of
Qld

Reptiles
of
NT

Reptiles
of
WA

Reptiles
of the
ACT

Reptiles of Tasmania

MORE REPTILE SPECIES LISTS

Reptiles of Lord Howe Island

Reptiles of Christmas Island

Reptiles
of Cocos Keeling Islands

Reptiles of Norfolk Island


Reptiles of Australia

Selection of Australian Frogs

Reptiles of the World

Amphibians of the World

Reptiles
of
Australia

Frogs
of
Australia

Reptiles
of
The World

Amphibians of the
World




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Updated April 8, 2024


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