Snakes come in many shapes and sizes. In fact, there are more than 3,000 species of snakes around the world, and you can find them almost everywhere except in Antarctica, Iceland, Ireland, Greenland, and New Zealand. Among these snakes, about 20% are venomous.1
Here are the world’s largest snakes that showcase their incredible sizes and powerful traits.
1. King Cobra
- Length: Up to 18 feet
- Location: Primarily found in Southeast Asia, including countries like India, China, Thailand, and the Philippines.
The King Cobra is the world’s longest venomous snake. It is known for its distinct hood, which it expands when threatened. Its venom is highly potent and can cause death within hours if untreated.
King Cobras primarily inhabit forests, grasslands, and swamps, often near water sources.
STOP BUYING GREENS: This Machine Grows $1000s Worth Automatically
✓ Set It & Forget It: Fully Automated Growing
✓ From Seed to Harvest in Days - No Experience Needed
✓ Grow Premium Microgreens Worth $50/lb Year-Round
Note: This is an affiliate link and we may earn a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost. This helps keep our website free to use.
2. Black Mamba
- Length: Up to 14 feet
- Location: Found mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania.
The Black Mamba is known for its incredible speed and agility, making it one of the fastest snakes in the world. Its venom is extremely toxic, and without antivenom, bites can be fatal in under an hour.
This snake prefers dry, open habitats like savannas and rocky hillsides, often hiding in burrows or under rocks.
3. Bushmaster
- Length: Up to 12 feet
- Location: Found in Central and South America, in Costa Rica, Brazil, and Venezuela.
The Bushmaster is the largest venomous snake in the Americas. It has a robust body and can be recognized by its distinctive patterns. Its venom is hemotoxic, affecting blood and tissue.
Bushmasters prefer rainforest and tropical environments, often hiding in leaf litter or among fallen logs.
4. King Brown Snake (Mulga Snake)
- Length: Up to 10 feet
- Location: Found throughout Australia, particularly in arid regions and semi-deserts, as well as coastal areas.
The King Brown Snake, or Mulga Snake, is the second-largest venomous snake in Australia. It has a robust body and is usually brown, with variations ranging from light tan to dark brown. Its venom is potent and can cause serious health issues, but it is less aggressive compared to other snakes.
The King Brown Snake prefers a variety of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and urban areas, often found under logs or in burrows.
5. Forest Cobra
- Length: Up to 8.2 feet
- Location: Found primarily in the rainforests of Central and West Africa, in Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo.
The Forest Cobra, also known as the Black Cobra, is notable for its impressive size and striking appearance, often exhibiting a glossy black or dark brown coloration. It has a hood that it expands when threatened, displaying its intimidating size.
The snakes venom is neurotoxic, affecting the nervous system, and can be fatal without treatment. This species prefers dense forest environments and is an adept climber, often found in trees as well as on the ground.
6. Inland Taipan
- Length: Up to 8.2 feet
- Location: Native to arid regions of central Australia, particularly in areas like Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The Inland Taipan, also known as the “fierce snake,” holds the title for the most venomous snake in the world. Its venom is extremely toxic, with the potential to kill a human in under an hour if untreated.
It has a slender body and a color that varies from light brown to dark olive, often adapting to its environment. While it is highly venomous, the Inland Taipan is reclusive and rarely encountered by humans, preferring remote desert areas and grasslands.
7. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
- Length: Up to 8 feet
- Location: Primarily found in the southeastern United States, particularly in Florida and surrounding states.
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest rattlesnake species and is known for its distinctive diamond-patterned back. Its venom is hemotoxic, causing significant damage to blood and tissue.
This snake prefers dry, sandy habitats like pine forests and grasslands. It uses its rattle as a warning when threatened, making it one of the most recognizable snakes in North America.
8. Fer-de-Lance
- Length: Up to 7.5 feet
- Location: Found mainly in Central and South America, particularly in Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia.
The Fer-de-Lance, or Bothrops asper, is known for its aggressive behavior and potent venom. It has a robust body and distinctive triangular head, often displaying a pattern of browns and greens for camouflage.
Its venom is hemotoxic, causing severe tissue damage and internal bleeding. Fer-de-Lance snakes prefer humid, tropical environments and are often found in forests, agricultural areas, and near human settlements.
9. Eastern Brown Snake
- Length: Up to 7 feet
- Location: Native to Australia, particularly in eastern and central regions, including urban areas.
The Eastern Brown Snake is one of the most venomous snakes in the world and is responsible for more bites in Australia than any other species. Its venom is neurotoxic and can be fatal without prompt medical treatment.
This snake is typically brown or tan, with a slender body, and prefers a range of habitats, from urban areas to bushland and grasslands.
10. Banded Krait
- Length: Up to 6.5 feet
- Location: Commonly found in Southeast Asia, particularly in India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Description: The Banded Krait is recognized for its striking black and yellow banding. Though it can be highly venomous, it is generally less aggressive than some other snakes.
Its venom affects the nervous system, leading to paralysis. Banded Kraits are often found in forested areas, rice paddies, and near water, where they hunt for amphibians and small reptiles.
11. Gaboon Viper
- Length: Up to 6.5 feet
- Location: Native to the rainforests and savannas of Central and West Africa, including Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Gaboon Viper is notable for its large size and distinctive markings. It has the longest fangs of any snake, which can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm). Its venom is cytotoxic, causing significant tissue damage.
Gaboon Vipers are generally found on the forest floor, often camouflaged among leaves and debris.
12. Yellow Sea Snake
- Length: Up to 4.5 feet
- Location: Commonly found in the warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, particularly around Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
The Yellow Sea Snake is known for its vibrant yellow and black coloration. Although not as large as the others on this list, its venom is highly toxic, affecting the nervous system.
These snakes are aquatic and are often seen swimming near coral reefs and mangroves.
Each of these snakes we looked at has its own special traits and habitats, showing how diverse and interesting these creatures are.
Source:
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.