Taipan Envenomation

An almost universally lethal snake prior to the introduction of antivenom, the Taipan is amongst the most deadly snakes in the world. The typically large snake (often >2.5 metres long) has large fangs (often greater than 1 cm) which are capable of penetrating a leather boot and produces large quantities of venom. It is an extremely accurate striker making it a very lethal predator.

The Taipan has a limited distribution in Australia found predominantly in northern Australia and down the east coast. It is only rarely encountered in its habitat, spending much of the time below the ground within deep cracks in the soil

Taipan venom

Considered by many as the post potent snake venom in the world, the multicomponent Taipan venom includes powerful neurotoxins, myolysins and procoagulant toxins. Taipan envenomation carries an almost 100% death rate without antivenom treatment.

Symptoms of envenomation

Taipan bites are often painful and generate localised redness, bruising and swelling however they may appear very trivial and can be misleading.

Systemic envenomation develops rapidly with headache, vomiting and collapse and progressing rapidly on to convulsions (seizures). Complete paralysis may develop within 2 to 6 hours

Blood clotting abnormalities may be profound with copious oozing of blood from the bite site as well as bleeding from the nose and gums. Life threatening bleeding may occur within the abdomen of the brain