It is a known fact that the deadliest reptiles in the world are usually characterised by their venom, aggression, and ability to deliver deadly bites. They are creatures you should avoid if you encounter them. They dwell in the forests, rivers, and dry regions. Some are also kept for special purposes, either as pets for sale or for traditional and cultural beliefs/practices.
They dwell in the forests, rivers, and dry regions. Some are also kept for special purposes, either as pets for sale or for traditional and cultural beliefs/practices.
Below are the top deadliest reptiles in the world.
1. Inland Taipan
Inland Taipan is been known to be the most dangerous and venomous reptile in the world. It is the snake with the most effective venom. They spend most of their time hiding, you can hardly know if it’s around you. Inland Taipan is native to Australia and five times deadlier and poisonous than cobras.
Moreover, this snake is a specialist hunter of mammals (primarily rodents), so has evolved a potent venom adapted to kill warm-blooded animals. Its venom is by far the most toxic of any snake. It is estimated that just one bite contains enough lethality to kill at least 100 adult humans.
2. King Cobra
The king cobra is regarded as the most recognised snake in the world. It is also known for its potential venom that can kill about twenty people at a time. Cobra feed on other snakes, including lizards. It is one of the heaviest and longest snakes.
It holds the distinction of being the world’s longest venomous snake, at an impressive four metres on average, with a maximum record of 5.85 metres.
The king cobra holds a special cultural significance in the Indian subcontinent. It is regarded as the national reptile of India, but despite this, it’s unfortunately threatened by both habitat destruction and poaching for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
In India, killing a king cobra is a serious offence with imprisonment of up to six years.
3. Saltwater Crocodile
This is the largest reptile on earth, being one of the world’s deadliest sea creatures, the saltwater crocodile is up to seven metres long and weighs up to 1,000kg. It is known for its powerful bite – the strongest bite in the animal world – and its tendency to regard humans as prey. They don’t only kill for food but to defend their offspring.
4. Komodo Dragon
Komodo dragon bites are very poisonous. They are carnivorous; they feed on mammals and birds. Although their shark-like teeth look pretty deadly, their bite is just one-sixth as powerful as that of a saltwater crocodile of the same size.
As the biggest lizards in the world, they also feed on other young dragons. They are common in Indonesian islands and are also kept in zoos. Their teeth are razor sharp and coated with iron, which helps keep the serrated-edged teeth sharp, they have a pair of venom glands in their lower jaws that can deliver poison as potent as that of the deadliest terrestrial snakes.
5. Black Mamba
Black mamba is a venomous snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are not called “black” because of the colour of their skin but inside of their mouth. Black Mambas are either grey or dark brown. It is the second-longest snake after king cobra.
6. Alligator
Although they are considered not as aggressive as their cousins, the saltwater crocodile, American alligators are still best avoided as they will attack if they feel threatened – or hungry.
7. Nile Monitor
The Nile monitor is one of the largest lizards in the world and Africa’s longest lizard. It is mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa in drier regions, including the Nile River. The skin patterns of this lizard are greenish-yellow and greyish-brown. Nile monitors are good swimmers.
8. Alligator Snapping Turtle
9. Green Anaconda
Though there are no documented records of this snake eating a human. But they will take any prey they can subdue and swallow. And they can certainly extend their jaws wide enough to get around an adult human’s shoulders (our widest point), so the potential exists for them to prey on people.
The green anaconda is found in South American rainforests.
10. Black Caiman
The black caiman is a crocodile indigenous to South America. This crocodile head, which is heavy and big, helps it catch larger prey. They have a scaled and thick skin. Black caiman noses and eyes are on top of their heads, which enables them to breathe and see while the rest of their body is inside the water.
