Fierce Snake
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| Oxyuranus microlepidotus |
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 Range of Fierce Snake (in red)
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The Fierce Snake, also known as the Small Scaled Snake and Inland Taipan is a highly venomous snake that lives in Australia, notorious for having the most potent venom of any species of snake in the world.[1][2] The Fierce Snake or Inland Taipan is a species of Taipan belonging to the Elapidae family.
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[edit] Venom
A single bite from the Fierce Snake contains enough venom to kill as many as 100 human adults, or 250,000 mice. The fierce snake's average venom yield is 44 mg, with a 110-mg record yield. It is 50 times more venomous than the Indian Cobra and 650 - 850 times more venomous than a Western- and Eastern Diamondback. The Fierce Snake has extremely neurotoxic venom. Although highly dangerous, it is very shy as long as the temperature is moderate, and can only be found in the desert of west Queensland. Even so, if it is suspected that a bite is from a fierce snake, Taipan Antivenom should be administered immediately. Also, the victim must be rushed to the nearest hospital, as taipan venom works quickly.
[edit] Appearance
The Fierce Snake is dark tan in color, ranging from a rich, dark hue to a brownish olive-green (depending on season). Its back, sides and tail may be different shades of brown and grey, with many individual scales having a wide blackish edge. These dark-marked scales occur in diagonal rows so that the marks align to form broken chevrons of variable length that are inclined backward and downward. The lowermost lateral scales often have an anterior yellow edge. The dorsal scales are smooth and without keels. The round-Snouted head and neck are usually noticeably darker than the body (glossy black in winter, dark brown in summer). The snake's color changes seasonally. The eye is of average size with a blackish brown iris and without a noticeable coloured rim around the pupil. It has twenty-three rows of mid-body scales, between fifty-five and seventy divided subcaudal scales, and one anal scale. The Fierce Snake averages approximately two metres (about 6.6 feet) in length, although larger specimens have been found.
[edit] Seasonal Adaptation
Fierce Snakes (Inland Taipans) adapt to their environment by changing the colour of the skin during seasonal changes. Fierce Snakes tend to be lighter in summer and darker in winter. This seasonal colour change serves in thermoregulation, allowing the snake to absorb more light (thence converted to heat) in the colder months.
[edit] Range
The Fierce Snake is native to the arid regions of central Australia, extending from the southeast part of the Northern Territory, and into west Queensland. The Fierce Snake can also be found north of Lake Eyre and to the west of the split of the Murray River, Darling River and Murrumbidgee River.
[edit] Behaviour
Fierce Snakes are known to live in holes, and feed on small rodents such as mice and rats. Despite its name, Fierce Snakes are not known to be particularly aggressive, but docile. They will strike if provoked, however, injecting their incomparably toxic venom.
[edit] Diet
The Fierce Snake consumes small rodents, mainly rats. They kill their prey by attacking in quick, rapid strikes injecting highly toxic venom into their victim.
[edit] Reproduction
Fierce snakes produce clutches of between one and two dozen eggs (12–24). The eggs hatch approximately two months after laying. The eggs are usually laid in abandoned animal burrows and deep crevices. Their reproduction rate also depends on their diet. If there are not enough rats then the snake will reproduce less.
[edit] Trivia
- Although known as the most venomous snake in the world, there have been no documented human fatalities from the Fierce Snake (Inland Taipan). All known bites have been treated using antivenom.
- Steve Irwin, the "The Crocodile Hunter" once presented a TV program listing the world's 10 deadliest snakes, of which the Fierce Snake came in at number 1. During the program, he was seen lying down outside the hole of a Fierce Snake, which came out and flicked Irwin with its tongue — before presumably deciding he did not taste very nice and slithering away, causing no harm to the biologist.
- Australian Snake Handler with Fierce Snake climbing on him
