Inland Taipan

 Inland Taipan : Every Kind of Taipan Snake is to be Avoided 

The Inland Taipan does share similarities with several other large elapids, and was originally described by McCoy in 1879 as belonging to the brown snake genus (as Diemenia (now Pseudonaja) microlepidota). Within its range the Fierce Snake may be confused with several of the brown snake species, including the Western Brown Snake Pseudonaja nuchalis, and the Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis. The inland taipan is one of the most venomous snake species in the world, with an intimidating reputation and an arsenal of potent venom. These venomous snakes are native to Australia and are divided into several subspecies, with the taipan family including some of the most dangerous snakes known to science, particularly the inland taipan, which locals often refer to as the "fierce snake." Let's take a closer look at what makes the taipan one of the deadliest snakes in the world.

Scientific name:- Oxyuranus microlepidotus

Alternative name/s:- Fierce Snake, Small-scaled Snake, Lignum Snake

Introduction

Taipans have sleek and agile snake bodies, allowing them to strike instantly when they feel threatened. A fully grown taipan can reach 6.5 feet (2 meters) in length, and these venomous snakes possess long, sharp fangs which deliver venom deep into the snake bite site, making it difficult for prey or victims to escape a strike. Often cited as the world’s most venomous snake, the Inland Taipan is far from the most dangerous. Unlike its congener, the common and fiery-tempered Coastal Taipan, this shy serpent is relatively placid and rarely encountered in its remote, semi-arid homeland. The colour of a taipan varies from light brown to dark brown, often depending on its environment, with seasonal shifts in its hue. Inland taipans, for example, can change colour seasonally, shifting from light brown to dark brown to better absorb heat in cooler weather. Their dorsal scales and lowermost lateral scales provide a smooth, streamlined appearance, making them highly agile snakes.

Identification

A medium to large snake, with a robust build and a deep, rectangular-shaped head. Dorsal colour varies from pale fawn to yellowish-brown to dark brown, with the head and neck being several to many shades darker than the body. Colour changes seasonally, with individuals becoming darker in winter and fading in summer. Many dorsal scales have a blackish-brown lower anterior edge which creates a broken herringbone pattern along the length of the body. The ventral surface is yellowish with orange blotches; this colour often extends to the lowermost lateral scales. Eyes are large, with a very dark iris and round pupil.

Size Range

Average size 2m (total length). There is no significant difference in mean snout-vent length between males and females. The largest Fierce Snake reliably measured and reported in the literature was a female with a snout-vent length of 170cm. The largest total length recorded is 250cm.

Subspecies

There are three recognized taipan species: the inland taipan, coastal taipan and central ranges taipan.

Inland taipan  

The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), or fierce snake, has the most toxic venom of any land snake. Also known as the "small-scaled snake," the inland taipan has some of the finest, most uniform scales. Historically, its habitat has been in the Channel Country of southwest Queensland and northeastern South Australia. The inland taipan was once also active in northwestern Victoria, primarily around the Murray and Darling Rivers. However, it is now presumed extinct in both Victoria and its neighbor to the north, New South Wales. The inland taipan is rarely encountered, due to its reclusive nature and remote habitat, but the extremely potent venom of this small-scaled snake is capable of causing severe envenomation with a single bite, resulting in vomiting, abdominal pain, paralysis and other negative effects.

Coastal taipan

The coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) commonly lives along the water, including in parts of Western Australian and the Northern Territory, with distribution being the heaviest along the Queensland coast. A handful of populations are scattered across New South Wales and South Australia, and people have also spotted specimens in southern Papua New Guinea. Coastal taipans tend to be slightly larger than their inland relatives. Though not as venomous as the inland taipan, coastal taipans still possess enough venom in a single bite to kill a human within hours if a bite goes untreated. Symptoms of a coastal taipan bite include vomiting, collapse, convulsions, paralysis and other unpleasant effects.

Central Ranges Taipan

The central ranges taipan (Oxyuranus temporalis), also called the western desert taipan, is the least-known of the three taipan species, primarily due to its more recent discovery in 2006. Thriving in extremely remote and sandy regions of the Australian outback, the central ranges taipan is one of the world's most elusive snakes. As a result, there is very less information available on its venom and behaviour.

Diet

The taipan's diet primarily consists of medium-sized mammals such as rats and mice, although they will also prey on birds. Their agile snake bodies and sharp jaws allow them to catch snakes, lizards and other small reptiles when food is scarce. In the wild Inland Taipan appear to feed entirely on small to medium-sized mammals, particularly the Long-haired Rat Rattus villosisimus, as well as the introduced House Mouse Mus musculus and various small dasyurids. Prey is usually cornered in a burrow or soil crack before being bitten several times in quick succession. The venom acts so rapidly that the snake can afford to hold on to its prey instead of releasing (to avoid injury) and waiting for it to die. In captivity Fierce Snakes may also accept day-old chicks in addition to rats and mice. The favoured prey of the Inland Taipan is the Long-haired Rat Rattus villosissimus. These snakes hunt primarily by scent, using their forked tongues to track prey, and strike instantly when they come within range. 

Habitat

Taipans are generally solitary creatures and are most active during the daytime. Unlike some aggressive snake species, taipans will generally avoid confrontation whenever possible. However, if threatened, they will defend themselves fiercely, often delivering multiple bites in the same attack. Inland Taipans are associated with the deep cracking-clays and cracking-loams of the floodplains, however they also venture onto nearby gibber plains, dunes and rocky outcrops if cover is available. The vegetation in these areas is usually sparse, consisting of chenopod shrubs, lignum and the occasional eucalypt near the water channels. Taipans are egg-layers, and their breeding season typically occurs during cooler weather. Females lay their eggs in sheltered areas, such as abandoned burrows or beneath dense vegetation. Hatchlings are fully independent upon birth and are capable of catching prey almost immediately. The snakes shelter in soil cracks and crevices, and in holes and mammal burrows.

Seasonality

Road-killed specimens have been found in "winter", hence the species is presumably active on the surface at this time of year. The seasonal change in body colouration presumably helps the Inland Taipan to warm up quickly during the cooler months (dark colour) and avoid overheating in the warmer months (pale colour).

Other behaviours and adaptations

The species is primarily, if not exclusively, diurnal in its activity on the surface. They are most active in the early half of the morning, briefly basking and foraging in or near deep soil cracks and animal burrows, before retiring to shelter for the rest of the day. In cooler weather the snakes may also be found active in the afternoon. This species goes through “boom-and-bust” cycles, breeding up to plague proportions during the good seasons and virtually disappearing during times of drought. When rats are in high numbers the snakes grow very sleek and fat, however once the rats disappear the snakes must depend on less prevalent prey and/or draw upon their fat reserves until the rats return. 

Breeding behaviours

Behaviour typical of male combat has been recorded occurring in late winter between two large, but unsexed, individuals. During the approximately half-hour combat, the snakes intertwined, raised their heads and forebodies and "lashed out" at each other with closed mouths. Inland Taipan have also been observed presumably mating in the wild in late winter. Females with oviducal eggs can be found in mid-spring (second half of November). Clutch size ranges from 11-20, with 16 being the average. The eggs measure 6 x 3.5cm when laid and take 9-11 weeks to hatch at 27-30°C. Newly-hatched young have a total length of around 47cm long. In captivity, females can produce two clutches within what would effectively be one breeding season.

Effects of Taipan Venom

Taipans are highly evolved venomous snakes with slender bodies, flexible jaws and long fangs that deliver venom deep into their prey. Inland Taipans are rarely encountered in the wild by the average person because of their remoteness and brief above-ground appearance during the day. Compared with the related Coastal Taipan (and despite the alternative name ‘Fierce Snake’) this species is actually quite shy and many reptile keepers regard it as a placid snake to handle. However, like any animal, it will defend itself when provoked. Firstly it makes a threat display by raising its forebody in a tight low S-shaped curve with its head facing the offender. Should the offender choose to ignore the warning the Inland Taipan will strike, making a single bite or several quick bites. The venom, one of the most toxic among land snakes, allows taipans to rapidly paralyze and kill medium-sized mammals. Taipan venom is an incredibly potent blend of snake venoms including neurotoxins, myotoxins and procoagulants, making it one of the most toxic venoms in the world. A single bite from an inland taipan contains enough venom to kill multiple humans, delivering paralysis, bleeding and multiple organ system poisoning within hours.

Early diagnosis and antivenom therapy are critical for survival, as the taipan's venom acts swiftly. Envenomation in humans requires prompt and adequate dosages of taipan antivenom to neutralize the venom. Symptoms of envenomation include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, collapse and paralysis. The venom of the Inland Taipan is extremely potent and is rated as the most toxic of all snake venoms in LD50 tests on mice. As well as being strongly neurotoxic the venom contains a ‘spreading factor’ (hyaluronidase enzyme) that increases the rate of absorption. The venom’s toxicity coupled with its spreading action makes a bite from a Fierce Snake potentially life-threatening, and anyone suspected of receiving a bite should seek immediate medical attention. Without immediate treatment, the venom can lead to respiratory failure, kidney damage and death. To date only a handful of people have ever been bitten by this species, and all have survived due to the quick application of correct first aid and hospital treatment.