A coastal taipan named Cyclone from Australia recently released three times the average amount of venom for its species, setting a new record.
With a single bite, the snake – a coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) called Cyclone – ejected more than 5.2 grams of venom. That’s three times the average amount produced by a coastal taipan and enough to kill 400 people, according to the Australian Reptile Park, a zoo located 50 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales.
“Cyclone is one of the most dangerous snakes here in the park and is known for being quite unpredictable,” Australian Reptile Park chief operating officer Billy Collett told Live Science.
Coastal taipans are one of the most venomous snake species on Earth. They are native to the coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia and typically grow up to 2 meters long, according to the Australian Museum.
Coastal taipans have a rectangular head with a pale snout and large, orange-brown eyes. Their bodies range in color from yellow to reddish-brown, dark brown and almost black, he writes LiveScience.
One of the most venomous snake species on Earth
“Coastal taipans are not the most venomous snakes in the world, but they are known around the world for their aggression, and bites have caused deaths every year,” said Collett.
The previous record for venom production was held by another coastal taipan in the park, called Whiplash, which produced 4.9g of venom from a single delivery in 2022.
The park is the only facility in Australia that “milks” taipans to produce antivenom, Collett said.
Keepers also extract venom from other deadly snakes, including eastern brown snakes (Pseudonaja textilis), tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus), adders (Acanthophis), and black snakes (Pseudechis).
The previous record belonged to another taipan
Milking snakes can be dangerous, according to the statement. “The process of milking a venomous snake requires handlers to secure the snake, sink its fangs into a large plastic-covered cup and have it deliver the lethal bite,” Collett said.
The venom is then lyophilized, meaning it is dehydrated at low temperatures, and sent to a vaccine manufacturer, Collett said.
Cyclone’s record donation of venom will go toward saving someone’s life, according to the statement. About 3,000 snakebites are reported each year in Australia, resulting in about 500 hospitalizations and an average of 2 deaths.
According to the Australian Snakebite Project, coastal taipans bit 31 people between 2005 and 2015, and while no deaths were found in this project, another study recorded at least one death between 2000 and 2016.
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Source: www.descopera.ro
