About This Quiz
Humans have struggled with snakes since the dawn of man. Throughout the centuries, these slithery creatures have both mystified and horrified us as various cultures portrayed them as evil incarnations of everything from demons to all-knowing dragons. With a bad reputation, snakes have been collected and used for torture and even murder. They have kept travelers from venturing too far at night. They have even stressed villagers out to the point they can't sleep for fear of waking up to a cold belly crawling across them.Â
Not much has changed, of course. The most deadly snakes are still feared around the world and cause hundreds of deaths each year, especially in areas where medical treatment is scarce. The more that human settlement expands, the more we will encounter snakes as well. In some parts of the world, venomous snakes have already started adapting to urban settlements, but humans are still struggling to adapt themselves.Â
How much do you know about the most lethal snakes and the regions on this planet they call home? Here's a quiz where you can find out if you are up for the challenge. Get started and see if you're ready for an encounter with one of these lethal creatures!
The inland taipan lives in the semi-arid parts of Australia. It's rarely encountered and can be quite shy when it is.
Many-banded kraits are a black or dark blue color. They have white bands, thus the name many-banded, all the way down their bodies.
Offspring from the Peron's sea snake develop inside the body of the snake. Females usually have around 10 babies per litter.
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Black mambas will strike multiple times if threatened. Each strike is filled with deadly venom, making these snakes extremely dangerous.
Spectacled cobras are also called Indian cobras. They are known for their hoods, which they display when threatened.
In Costa Rica, nearly half of all snakebites come from the fer-de-lance. These snakes are hard to spot because they often hide among fallen leaves.
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Death adders do not seek prey like other snakes in Australia. Instead, they are ambush predators, known for hiding until prey passes by.
Banded water cobras are rarely seen by humans. This is because they spend most of their time underwater and rarely venture far from a water source.
The color of a tiger rattlesnake ranges from blue-gray to orange-brown. The color of the snake is divided by dark bands, resembling a tiger.
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The Taiwan cobra is not picky when it comes to food. These snakes will swallow anything that will go down their throats from fish to birds to other snakes.
The Gaboon viper is the largest viper in Africa. These snakes can weigh up to 45 pounds and reach lengths of six feet.
Part of the danger of a saw-scaled viper is that they live in areas near human settlements. They are also ambush predators who will camouflage themselves while waiting on prey.
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The eastern brown snake is the second most venomous snake in the world. Even new borns can be dangerous for humans if bitten.
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest known species of rattlesnake. These snakes are most common in the southeastern region of the United States.
A bite from a west coast green rattlesnake produces a large amount of venom. Luckily, these snakes are not as aggressive as other rattlesnake species.
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The rhinoceros viper lives in wet environments such as rainforests and swamps. These snakes can be identified by their triangular heads and the hornlike scales on their nose.
Common adders are the most dangerous snakes found in Europe. Since these snakes travel so far north, they will often hibernate during the winter when food is scarce.
The red-bellied black snake is not an aggressive snake. However, they often encounter humans living on the east coast of Australia, resulting in multiple snakebites per year.
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The Samar cobra is dangerous both for its venomous bite and for spraying venom. The venom from these snakes can cause paralysis and respiratory​ failure.
The Russell's viper was named after herpetologist Patrick Russell. The snake is also called Daboia or "the lurker" in Hindi.
The mamushi is the most common snake in Japan. These snakes bite a few thousand people in Japan each year, resulting in several deaths if medical treatment is not received.
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The tail of a Jameson's mamba can stretch a quarter of the snake's length. That's quite significant considering these snakes can grow to over eight feet long.
Tropical rattlesnakes are carnivores, eating prey from rodents to fish. They use their venom to paralyze their prey before eating it.
The hundred pacer gets its name from the belief that a person can only walk a hundred steps after being bitten by this snake. That may be a little exaggerated, but it is true that antivenom is usually required after being bitten by a hundred pacer.
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Adult massasaugas are nocturnal animals, meaning they are encountered at night. During the day, they are found under rocks and limbs.
Tiger snakes have to face multiple predators, which includes humans and loss of habitat. They are vulnerable when it comes to being endangered if their population continues to decline.
The Okinawan habu can be found on the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. These snakes enjoy hanging out along rock walls and inside tombs.
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Cottonmouths are also known as water moccasins. These snakes usually don't venture too far from a water source.
Female boomslangs are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. They can produce around 30 eggs per cycle.
The golden lancehead is only located on Ilha da Queimada Grande, an island off the coast of Brazil. Because they have such a small geographical range, these snakes are considered critically endangered.
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The bite from a Caspian cobra can cause extreme effects within an hour. Left untreated, victims will die from respiratory failure.
Coral snakes are known for their reclusive nature. They are rarely encountered by human but have a deadly bite if they are.
The Cape cobra has a very small geographic range compared to other cobras in Africa. However, they can be found in a variety of environments from the savanna to deserts.
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King cobras are an important symbol in the culture of India. They are often associated with snake charmers, though charmers use various types of cobras and other snakes.
Copperheads are known to pursue small prey such as insects. However, when it comes to larger prey, they are ambush predators which will find a good position to attack from.
Common krait bites are known for their lack of pain. This can be deceiving, however, because muscle paralysis and respiratory failure can eventually set in.
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Forest cobras can reach up to 10 feet in length. This makes it the longest species of true cobra in the world.
The jararaca is a very common venomous snake throughout Brazil. They are known for living in tropical forests across the region.
Mojave rattlesnakes choose to live in areas with limited vegetation such as deserts. These snakes are extremely deadly with some of the most potent venom of any rattlesnake.
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