Inland Taipan Size report
The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), also commonly known as the western taipan, is the small-scaled snake, the fierce snake, and the large spotted snake. Don't underestimate these slender snakes. It is the most venomous land snake species worldwide, killing 200,000 mice with a single bite.
Its body is smaller than ordinary Taipan snakes, and the adult inland taipan is only about 2 meters long. This highly venomous snake is mainly distributed in and around the Victoria Desert in central Australia. They are shy by nature, but when defending, their bodies leave the ground and are very aggressive.
The inland taipan is a species of extremely venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The coagulation toxin in the venom of the inland taipan can cause hemolysis and coagulation disorders in the victim. The neurotoxin will interrupt the connection between nerves, resulting in paralysis of the whole body and, eventually, death. According to scientists' measurements, the inland Taipan's neurotoxin toxicity is more than 25 times stronger than that of the cobra. The following will introduce more facts about the inland taipan, including its size, appearance, living habits, etc.
Inland Taipan Size and Appearance
The inland taipan has a flat, slightly pointed head with relatively large eyes. The body is covered with gray to tan scales, sometimes bordered with thin black; the body is usually brown or olive green, the belly is yellowish-white, and the head is black or black-marked. They change color seasonally, taking a darker color during winter and lighter color during summer. The fangs of inland taipan are 7.0-13.0 mm long and are highly poisonous. It also means that their fangs can easily penetrate even elephants' skin.
The inland taipan will stand upright in an S-shape when it is preying or is disturbed, and its attack speed is extremely fast. It is the fastest-attacking poisonous snake in the world. When it adopts a defensive stance, its body is lifted off the ground like a cobra and a rattlesnake. The inland taipan is diurnal and envenoms in every bite.
Average Size of Inland Taipan
The average body length of the inland taipan is 1.8-2.5 meters, with a body width of roughly 7.5-10 cm. Adult inland taipan has an average weight of 1-2 kg. Males are much larger than females. The inland taipan is smaller than the coastal taipan, which can reach 3 meters and 3 kg. The typical lifespan of the inland taipan is between 10-20 years.
Quick Facts | |
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Scientific Name | Oxyuranus microlepidotus |
Average Length | 1.8-2.5 m |
Average Width | 7.5-10 cm |
Average Weight | 1-2 kg |
Lifespan | 10-20 years |
Habitat and Diet
The inland taipan snake inhabits central Australia's arid plains and grasslands, lurking in the grass to catch prey. They appear in inaccessible dry plains, grasslands, deserts, and dry riverbeds, hiding in rat holes, deep cracks or hollows on the surface, and sometimes living in rock crevices and wall holes. Inland taipan snakes feed on frogs, toads, and small mammals. They also frequently hunt rodents and small marsupials on the floodplain.
Final Words
The venom of the inland taipan snake is particularly well suited to killing warm-blooded animals, so it is also an expert mammal hunter. The venom injected at one time can reach up to several hundred milligrams, and it often kills the prey before it lets go after attacking the prey. Its poison is equivalent to 50 Indian cobras. After being bitten, the human body will be paralyzed and eventually die of respiratory failure within 15 to 30 minutes. However, they are shy and mild; there has never been a single recorded human fatality from a bite of this snake.