Record: this snake secretes enough venom in one bite to kill 400 humans

A captive snake in Australia has recently set a new world record for venom production in a single bite, sparking interest and amazement among specialists. This feat comes from a Coastal Taipan named Cyclone, a particularly feared specimen even by its handlers.


In a single bite, Cyclone expelled over 5.2 grams (0.18 ounces) of venom, three times the average amount produced by a Coastal Taipan. This dose is sufficient to kill 400 humans, according to the Australian Reptile Park, a zoo located north of Sydney. This performance surpasses the previous record held by another Coastal Taipan from the same park.

Coastal Taipans are among the most venomous snakes on the planet. Native to the coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia, they can grow up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length. Their rectangular head and large orange-brown eyes are characteristic, and their skin color ranges from yellow to black to brown.

Billy Collett, the operations manager at the Australian Reptile Park, describes Cyclone as an unpredictable and dangerous snake, keeping handlers constantly on their toes. Bites from Coastal Taipans are dreaded and have caused numerous fatalities worldwide.

The park is the only facility in Australia that practices venom collection to produce antivenins, a perilous task requiring great expertise. Handlers also extract venom from other deadly snakes such as Eastern Brown Snakes and Tiger Snakes.


The collected venom is then freeze-dried and sent to an antivenom manufacturer. Cyclone's record contribution will help save lives in a country where approximately 3,000 snake bites are reported annually, resulting in 500 hospitalizations and an average of two deaths.