User:LarryTheShark/sandbox
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), also commonly known as the western taipan, the small-scaled snake, or the fierce snake,[5] is a highly venomous snake of the taipan (Oxyuranus) genus, and is endemic to semi-arid regions of central east Australia.[6] Aboriginal Australians living in those regions named the snake Dandarabilla.[7] It was first described by Frederick McCoy in 1879 and then by William John Macleay in 1882, but for the next 90 years, it was a mystery species to Western Science. No more specimens were found, and virtually nothing was added to knowledge of this species until its rediscovery in 1972.[7][8]
This is the user sandbox of LarryTheShark. A user sandbox is a subpage of the user's user page. It serves as a testing spot and page development space for the user and is not an encyclopedia article. Create or edit your own sandbox here. Other sandboxes: Main sandbox | Template sandbox Finished writing a draft article? Are you ready to request review of it by an experienced editor for possible inclusion in Wikipedia? Submit your draft for review! |
Inland taipan (fierce snake) | |
---|---|
Oxyuranus microlepidotus at Australia Zoo | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Subphylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Suborder: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | O. microlepidotus |
Binomial name | |
Oxyuranus microlepidotus (F. McCoy, 1879) | |
General range of inland taipan (in red). The current, documented range of the species is more limited[1][2][3] | |
Synonyms | |
Its venom, drop for drop, is by far the most toxic of any snake in the world – much more so than even sea snakes.[6][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Unlike most snakes, the inland taipan is a specialist mammal hunter so its venom is specially adapted to kill warm-blooded species.[20][21] It is estimated that one bite possesses enough lethality to kill at least 100 full grown men,[18][22][23][24] and, depending on the nature of the bite, can kill someone in as little as 30 to 45 minutes if left untreated.[5][25][26][27] It is an extremely fast and agile snake which can strike instantly with extreme accuracy,[24][28][29] often snapping its jaws fiercely several times to inflict multiple punctures in the same attack.[6][29]
Although highly venomous and a capable striker, contrary to the rather aggressive natured[20] coastal taipan, the inland taipan is usually quite a shy and reclusive snake, with a placid disposition,[6][30][31][32] and prefers to escape from trouble.[24][33] However, it will defend itself and strike if provoked,[6][28][34] mishandled,[32] or prevented from escaping.[24] Also because it lives in such remote locations, the inland taipan seldom comes in contact with people;[35] therefore it is not considered the most deadly snake in the world overall, especially in terms of disposition and human deaths per year.[36][37][38] The word "fierce" from its alternative name describes its venom, not its temperament.[33]