World’s Deadliest Snakes
When discussing lists of the world’s deadliest snakes, most people use just one criterion and do not take into account other significant factors. As a result, many Top 10 lists tend to be inaccurate or, at the very least, skewed. These lists are usually based solely on the toxicity of snake venoms; however, there are also people who focus their "deadliest snakes" lists on snake bites deaths in the countries in which they live or study, or perhaps are just fond of.
Taking the most significant factors into account, we have created a more relevant, and hopefully more objective, list of the world’s most deadly snakes. The list was compiled using our International Danger Quotient method. The quotient is based on 6 critical factors relative to the other snakes on the list. In each category a maximum of 5 points is awarded and so, the higher the number the bigger or worse that factor is relative to the other snakes on the list.
- Average size of an adult snake of this species.
- Average venom yield in a bite.
- Toxicity of venom.
- Length of fangs.
- Typical defensive disposition.
- The number of deaths per year from each species.
Rank the World's Deadliest Snakes
The higher the number in a category, the bigger or badder that snake is.
 Click a column heading to sort the listings. | Average Size | Venom Yield | Venom Toxicity | Fang Length | Disposition / Attitude | Bites per Year | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coral SnakeMore Less(Micrurus fulvius) | United States  Photo by: Norman Benton
Although they have an extremely potent venom, they are small, secretive, and relatively gentle. |
1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
European VipersMore Less(Vipera sp.) | Europe  Photo by: Jaan Rebane
These Vipers are not particularly toxic or dangerous - bites rarely, if ever, result in death. |
2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
Timber RattlesnakeMore Less(Crotalus horridus) | United States 
Timber bites can be exceptionally bad with a relatively high percentage of fatality. |
3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
BoomslangMore Less(Dispholidus typus) | Africa 
Boomslangs have a very small venom yield and bites to people in the wild are almost unheard of, but they do have terrifyingly toxic venom. |
2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 |
Beaked Sea SnakeMore Less(Enhydrina schistosa) | Asia 
At one time this species was considered to have the deadliest venom of any snake. However, current research shows this not to be the case. |
2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
Blue KraitMore Less(Bungarus candidus) | Asia 
50% of the bites from this snake are fatal even with the use of antivenom treatment. |
2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 13 |
Prairie RattlesnakeMore Less(Crotalus viridis) | United States 
This is the snake that accounts for the largest number of venomous snakebites in the US. |
3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
Mojave RattlesnakeMore Less(Crotalus scutatus) | United States 
This rattlesnake has one of the most toxic venoms of all the rattlesnakes. |
2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 15 |
Fierce Snake or Inland TaipanMore Less(Oxyuranus microlepidotus) | Australia 
The most toxic venom of any snake, maximum yield recorded (for one bite) is 110mg; enough to kill over 100 people or 250,000 mice. Watch a National Geographic video featuring our very own Terry Philip. |
3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 15 |
Tiger SnakeMore Less(Notechis scutatus) | Australia 
The legendary Tiger Snake of Australia is a very aggressive snake with extremely toxic venom. |
2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 15 |
Death AdderMore Less(Acanthophis antarcticus) | Australia 
A dosage of 10mg of Death Adder venom is enough to kill a human. A good-sized Death Adder can deliver up to 180mg in a single bite. |
1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
Australian Brown SnakeMore Less(Pseudonaja textilis) | Australia 
Its venom is reputed to be the second most toxic in the world. They cause the most snakebite deaths in Australia - 1/14,000 of an ounce of this venom is enough to kill a person. |
3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 17 |
Western Diamondback RattlesnakeMore Less(Crotalus atrox) | United States 
A large snake with a higher than average venom yield and fang length, and an irascible disposition, although the venom is below average in toxicity. |
3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 17 |
Common CobraMore Less(Naja naja ssp.) | Asia 
Cobras are considered to be the most common venomous snake in the most densely populated part of the world, 40,000 people die from cobra bites each year in this region. |
3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 18 |
Egyptian CobraMore Less(Naja haje) | Africa 
This is a large cobra with high toxicity, large venom glands, and a bad disposition. |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 17 |
Gaboon ViperMore Less(Bitis gabonica) | Africa 
This species has enormous venom glands and the longest fangs of any snake in the world. |
3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 18 |
Eastern Diamondback RattlesnakeMore Less(Crotalus adamanteus) | United States 
This is the largest venomous snake in the US. It has huge venom glands and relatively long fangs. |
3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
Golden LanceheadMore Less(Bothrops insularis) | Central/South America  Photo by: Otavio Marques
Some researchers feel this snake has one of the deadliest of all snake venoms. |
2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 18 |
South American RattlesnakeMore Less(Cascabel or Crotalus terrificus) | Central/South America 
A very toxic venom, long fangs, and a fairly bad temperament. |
3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 18 |
Forest CobraMore Less(Naja melanolueca) | Africa 
This is a common species prone to stand and fight with a toxic venom, large size, but relatively average fang length. |
4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 18 |
BushmasterMore Less(Lachesis sp.) | Central/South America 
A big snake with lots of toxic venom and very long fangs. |
4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 19 |
Mexican West Coast RattlesnakeMore Less(Crotalus basiliscus) | Central/South America 
This very large, heavy-bodied snake has huge amounts of highly toxic venom, long fangs, and a temperament that makes them scary. |
3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
Saw Scaled ViperMore Less(Echis carinatus) | Africa & Asia 
Saw-Scaled Vipers kill more people in Africa than all the other venomous African snakes combined. According to some researchers it appears that humans are very susceptible to this snake’s venom - it could very well be the most venomous snake to humans! |
1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 19 |
King Brown SnakeMore Less(Pseudechis austalis) | Australia 
One report states that the largest amount of venom ever extracted from a snake, 1300mg, came from a King Brown Snake. |
4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 19 |
Black MambaMore Less(Dendroaspis polylepsis) | Africa 
These snakes are large, alert, and aggressive in their personal defense - they are one of the most feared snakes on the African continent. |
4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 20 |
Common Lancehead or Fer-de-LanceMore Less(Bothrops atrox) | Central/South America 
These are large and very defensive snakes that have caused many bites. |
3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 21 |
King CobraMore Less(Ophiophagus hannah) | Asia 
These are the largest of all venomous snakes and are highly intelligent. It is said they can produce enough venom in a bite to kill an elephant. |
5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 21 |
Russell's ViperMore Less(Daboia species) | Asia 
This snake is the leading cause of death in the country of Sri Lanka and on par with the common cobra for deaths in the rest of its range. |
3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 21 |
Coastal TaipanMore Less(Oxyuranus scutellatus) | Australia 
The venom delivered in a single Taipan bite is enough to kill up to 12,000 guinea pigs. This is the largest venomous snake in Australia. Before antivenom was available 100% of bites were fatal. |
4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 22 |
Barba Amarilla or Fer-de-LanceMore Less(Bothrops asper) | Central/South America  Photo by: Al Coritz
These large aggressive snakes have long fangs, and lots of very toxic venom. Members of this genus are some of the only snakes that can, and regularly do, strike more than half their body length. |
4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 23 |
Puff AdderMore Less(Bitis arietans) | Africa 
Many legs and arms need to be amputated due to the damage from this snake’s venom! |
3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 23 |
Papuan TaipanMore Less(Oxyuranus s. canni) | New Guinea 
Venomous snakebite deaths are 100 times higher in New Guinea than in Australia due to quality and availability of treatment. They are similar to Australian coastal Taipans. |
4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 23 |
Visit our Sky Dome and head on up to the mezzanine level, where you’ll see some of the snakes on this list. Want to learn more about these fascinating creatures? Be sure to catch one of our Snake Shows where you and your family have an opportunity to have an up-close-and-personal experience with Reptile Gardens' snake ambassadors.
