20 Most Dangerous Snakes

The 20 most dangerous snakes in the world are found in various locations across the globe. Caution is advised when coming across any of them.

Black Mamba

Interestingly enough this snake gets its name from the interior of its mouth, not its outer appearance. The only warning a person gets before this snake defends itself is a warning hiss.

Boomslang

While its appearance in the movie Bullet Train is fearsome, the true danger of this snake is that yes, it is deadly, and yes, it can kill. But its method of appearing as a branch before striking is terrifying.

Inland Taipan

Thankfully, this venomous snake is reclusive since it’s considered extremely dangerous. Most of the time this snake is not aggressive and does not encounter people, but it’s still a risky idea to go seeking them out.

Saw-Scaled Viper

This snake doesn’t go after humans that often but it won’t hesitate to attack if threatened. While it might not kill a human its venom is still highly toxic.

Russell’s Viper

The attacks from this type of viper number in the tens of thousands in India. Farmers know to fear these vipers since they tend to feed on rodents and hang out in rice paddies and other agricultural fields.

Blue Malayan Coral Snake

This is a very visually striking snake thanks to its coloring. But it can produce a neurotoxin that causes paralysis.

Fer-De-Lance

The name of this snake means spearhead, and it’s an apt description. A bit can cause severe swelling and tissue necrosis if left untreated, which is painful and in some cases very serious.

Olive Sea Snake

It sounds strange, but these snakes will mistake divers for mates and coil around them sometimes. The trick is to not agitate the snake since they will attack when they feel threatened, though otherwise they’re known to prey on smaller sea creatures.

Banded Krait

Like several of its species this snake feeds on other snakes and their eggs. While its venom doesn’t necessarily kill outright, it can affect a person’s breathing if the paralysis it inflicts affects the diaphragm.

Eastern Coral Snake

While the venom of this snake doesn’t always kill it can affect a person’s vision and speech. Other than that, it tends to stay away from humans feed on other animals.

Cottonmouth

While they won’t attack unless threatened or provoked, this snake is hard to recognize at first. When angered though it will strike.

South American Bushmaster

One of the most dangerous qualities of any predator is patience, and this snake has an abundance of it. While it will attack humans, like most snakes it will mind its own business unless provoked.

Common Death Adder

Encounters with humans are rare when it comes to this snake. But they will attack when provoked and will live up to their name if an affected individual doesn’t seek treatment soon.

King Cobra

As dangerous as this snake is it will typically avoid humans. But most people do know this snake on sight thanks to pop culture references and representation.

Eastern Brown Snake

This snake doesn’t look that imposing, at least until it rears up in an S shape before striking. Worse than this, it coils around its victim after striking.

Copperhead

Copperheads do appear threatening even though not many people die from their attacks. The fact that they live within range of humans is terrifying to many people though.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Most people who have seen, heard about, or read about rattlesnakes know that they’re not to be messed with. Once a person hears that telltale rattling it’s time to focus up and back away.

Mainland Tiger Snake

Named for the tiger-like stripes on its body, this snake will become intimidating when threatened. While it won’t seek out humans, this snake can do some damage.

Stiletto Snake

Much like many snakes, this one is dangerous to humans if threatened, but it tends to go after smaller prey. Having fangs on the sides of its head makes it an odd type of creature, but it’s efficient in hunting.

Beaked Sea Snake

As snakes go this one is rather aggressive and can release venom that is far more powerful than a cobra. It doesn’t often attack humans, but it’s not unknown to happen.