Inland Taipan: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Snakes · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. One inland taipan bite is thought to hold enough venom to kill 100 or more adults. It is widely called the world's most venomous snake.
2. The inland taipan can bite up to eight times in one attack, keeping hold of its prey with its body.
3. The inland taipan changes shade with the seasons: darker in winter to soak up heat, paler in summer. In winter its head turns glossy black.
4. Named in 1879, the inland taipan went almost 90 years with no new specimens found.
5. In 1972 a farmer sent a snake specimen to the Queensland Museum. Scientists visited the spot and found 13 live inland taipans.

The quiz

1. How many adult humans could one bite's venom kill?

• At least 100 (correct)
• At least 2
• At least 10
• At least 1,000

A single bite is thought to hold enough venom for 100 or more adults.

2. How many bites can the inland taipan deliver in a single strike?

• Only one
• Up to two
• Up to eight (correct)
• Up to twenty

It can deliver up to eight bites in a single strike.

3. What colour is the inland taipan's head in winter?

• Glossy black (correct)
• Bright red
• Pale yellow
• Brown-green

In winter its head turns glossy black, which helps it soak up heat.

4. For about how long were no new inland taipan specimens found after 1879?

• About 9 years
• About 30 years
• About 200 years
• Almost 90 years (correct)

For almost 90 years no new specimens were found.

5. How many live snakes did scientists find at the site in 1972?

• 3
• 13 (correct)
• 30
• 130

Scientists visited the site and found 13 live inland taipans.

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