What is the most venomous snake in the world?

The inland taipan is the most venomous snake in the world. Its venom has the lowest recorded median lethal dose among snake venoms in commonly used mouse tests, making it exceptionally toxic by potency rather than by the number of human deaths it causes.

Also called the fierce snake or western taipan, it is native to the semiarid floodplains of central-eastern Australia. The species remained poorly known for decades after its 1879 description and was rediscovered by scientists in 1972. Its venom is adapted to kill warm-blooded prey, especially rodents.

The inland taipan is often confused with the deadliest snake in terms of human fatalities. It is shy, remote-dwelling, and rarely encounters people, so the coastal taipan and some other snakes may pose a greater practical risk. Its alternative name describes the potency of its venom, not an unusually aggressive temperament.

A bite can deliver enough venom to kill many people without treatment, but modern antivenom and emergency care greatly improve survival.