As the weather heats up and more people take to hiking trails in their local areas, people often start thinking about venomous snakes.
Fortunately in North America there are about 20 species of venomous snakes. Chief among them are 16 species of rattlesnakes mostly found in dry, arid regions in the south except the timber rattlesnake found in the northeast.
There are also two species of coral snakes, one species of cottonmouth or water moccasin and one species of copperhead. While the coral snake is the most toxic, it’s the diamond back cobra that delivers the most venom.
But even these have relatively low levels of venom compared to the most venomous snakes in the world, which mostly consist of mambas, cobras, adders, kraits and vipers.
RELATED: What You Need to Know About Rattlesnakes
If you are travelling to India or Southeast Asia, you have the highest likelihood of crossing paths with some of the world’s most venomous snakes. Australia is another country with a good share of dangerous snakes.
But chances are they are more afraid of you then you are of them. Get ready in advance, keep a sharp eye and give these ornery serpents space. Here are the top 20 most venomous snakes in the world!
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Snakes
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Inland Taipan
Considered the most venomous snake in the world based on the median lethal dose value in mice, the inland taipan venom, drop by drop, is by far the most toxic of any snake. Found in the semi-arid regions of central east Australia, it is commonly known as the western taipan, small0scaled snake or the fierce snake.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Eastern Brown Snake
The eastern brown snake or the common brown snake is considered the second most venomous snake in the world. It's native to Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Black Mamba
One of the most venomous snakes in the world, the black mamba is found in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. When threatened it opens its inky black mouth, spreads its narrow neck-flap and sometimes hisses.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Indian Cobra
Although its venom is moderate, the rapid-acting qualities of the Indian cobra venom make it more dangerous than most. For this reason, mortality rates are rather low although symptoms come on fast.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Saw-scaled viper
Though small in size, its attitude makes the saw-scaled viper a venomous force to be reckoned with. This snake ranges from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, parts of the Middle East and Africa north of the equator, making it responsible for many human fatalities each year.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Russell's Viper
One of the most painful bites comes from the russell's viper, which is known to cause internal bleeding. This is a very aggressive snake that can be extremely irritable found mostly in India and Southeast Asia.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Common Krait
Often considered the most dangerous snake in India, the common krait can induce muscle paralysis quickly. Once paralysis has developed after a bite from a common krait it's often impossible to reverse even with anti-venom.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Coastal Taipan
The coastal taipan is a venomous snake found in northern and eastern Australia and the island of New Guinea. Adults can reach four feet and are most active in early morning.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Terciopelo
The terciopelo, considered the most dangerous snake in Costa Rica, is known to move extremely fast, though usually choosing to flee than confront a threat. In Venezuela it's responsible for 78 percnet of all snakebite fatalities.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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King Cobra
Found mostly in forests throughout India and Southeast Asia, the king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake reaching lengths of 18 feet. It preys mostly on other snakes and sometimes rodents.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Many Banded Krait
Also known as the Taiwanese krait or Chinese krait, the many banded krait is endemic to central and southern China and Southeast Asia. It's mostly found in marshy areas and it's nocturnal.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Western Green Mamba
The western green mamba also known as the west African green mamba is extremely nimble and dangerous, preferring to spend most of its time in the trees.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Eastern Green Mamba
Like other mamba, the green mamba spends most of its time in the trees. A single bite contains enough venom to kill several humans. The eastern green mamba is typically found in eastern Africa.
Photo credit: Eastern Green Mamba
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Jameson's Mamba
The Jameson's mamba is another in the mamba family to look out for. Highly venomous, this snake is also found in Africa.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Caspian Cobra
The caspian cobra is mostly found in Central Asia and averages around 1 meter in length.
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Phillipines Cobra
The Phillipines cobra is typically found in northern Phillipines, known for being stocky, highly venomous spitting cobra.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Common Death Adder
Just your common death adder. Nothing to be worried about here. It's only one of the most venomous land snakes in Australia, but is increasingly becoming more rare.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Tiger Snake
Tiger snakes are often found in the southern region of Australia and come in many colors though always with the banded pattern like a tiger.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Forest Cobra
The forest cobra is the largest in the cobra family and considered a highly irritable and aggressive snake. In one area if Guinea in 2008, 375 bites from the forest cobra resulted in 79 deaths.
Photo credit: Wikimedia
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Gaboon viper
Native to the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, the Gaboon viper has the distinction of being the world's heaviest viper and the longest fangs that can reach up to two inches in length. Because of this, it has the highest venom yield out of any species.
Photo credit: Wikipedia
