We continue our series about the most lethal creatures by turning this month from toxic marine to toxic land animals. Consider the Inland Taipan Snake, endemic to central regions of Australia. Its poison is consistently ranked amongst the most toxic in the world, with one bite containing enough venom to kill 100 adult men. This poison is a complex mix of neurotoxins that effectively paralyze muscles and cause severe internal bleeding. The Inland Taipan is a specialist in hunting small mammals, so its venom is quite effective against humans. Its favorite prey is the long-haired rat. Typically venomous snakes will bite their prey and then immediately release, waiting for the doomed animal to die. This strategy helps the snake avoid injury. But the Inland Taipan’s venom acts so quickly that it just hangs on as the rat rapidly succumbs. With its signature dark head and brown mottled body, the Inland Taipan is well camouflaged to hide in underground burrows. Thankfully, deaths from this snake are extremely rare due to its remote, arid habitat. Its nature is also quite shy and reclusive. Isaiah 11:8 tells of a future time when a nursing baby will play alongside a cobra and a toddler will put his hand down into an adder’s den. During the coming Kingdom venom will be removed from the Earth because animals will, once again, all be herbivorous.
Earth’s Most Venomous Animals – Part 4
