While many people love snakes and even keep them as pets, others are flat-out terrified of them. Fear of snakes is so ubiquitous that snakes are traditionally used to symbolize evil in mythology, literature, and film.
Of course, snakes are not evil, and many of them are quite docile, even friendly. But a number of species can be quite dangerous if you cross them in nature, especially if they feel threatened. Even snakes that are generally friendly can kill you with their venom if you take them by surprise. Here are 10 of the most dangerous snakes on the planet.
1. Belcher’s Sea Snake
Belcher's Sea Snake
Belcher’s Sea Snake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
These slender, striped snakes may be familiar to you, perhaps even from personal experience. Sea snakes are typically pretty passive and won’t harm you unless they feel threatened. A threatened sea snake may bite you, releasing its venom. Only about a quarter of sea snake bites contain venom, but the sea snake is the most venomous snake on the planet. A few milligrams of Belcher’s Sea Snake venom is enough to kill a thousand people, making the sea snake the most dangerous snake in the world in terms of venomousness—even though it is typically harmless.
2. Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The rattlesnake is one of the most recognizable snakes in the Americas. It’s hard to miss the rattle at the end of the tail which gives this snake its name. The rattlesnake is actually a type of viper, and is quite venomous. The most dangerous snakes in this species are the young Eastern Diamondbacks. When treated promptly, fewer than 4% of rattlesnake bites are fatal, but when left untreated, all bites are potentially lethal. Rattlesnake venom can damage organs and prevent blood from clotting, leading to paralysis, breathing problems and massive bleeding. Losing a limb is not uncommon.
3. Death Adder
Death Adder
Of course, snakes are not evil, and many of them are quite docile, even friendly. But a number of species can be quite dangerous if you cross them in nature, especially if they feel threatened. Even snakes that are generally friendly can kill you with their venom if you take them by surprise. Here are 10 of the most dangerous snakes on the planet.
1. Belcher’s Sea Snake
Belcher's Sea Snake
Belcher’s Sea Snake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
These slender, striped snakes may be familiar to you, perhaps even from personal experience. Sea snakes are typically pretty passive and won’t harm you unless they feel threatened. A threatened sea snake may bite you, releasing its venom. Only about a quarter of sea snake bites contain venom, but the sea snake is the most venomous snake on the planet. A few milligrams of Belcher’s Sea Snake venom is enough to kill a thousand people, making the sea snake the most dangerous snake in the world in terms of venomousness—even though it is typically harmless.
2. Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The rattlesnake is one of the most recognizable snakes in the Americas. It’s hard to miss the rattle at the end of the tail which gives this snake its name. The rattlesnake is actually a type of viper, and is quite venomous. The most dangerous snakes in this species are the young Eastern Diamondbacks. When treated promptly, fewer than 4% of rattlesnake bites are fatal, but when left untreated, all bites are potentially lethal. Rattlesnake venom can damage organs and prevent blood from clotting, leading to paralysis, breathing problems and massive bleeding. Losing a limb is not uncommon.
3. Death Adder
