The World's Most Dangerous Animals - The Venomous Snake

Since we were on the subject of snakes yesterday, the next animal on my list of The World's Most Dangerous Animals is the Venomous Snake.  According to Wikipedia there are over "2,900 species of snakes on the planet."  Too bad we're not one of the countries who don't possess any whatsoever, Ireland, Iceland and New Zealand. Furthermore, "Of the 725 species of venomous snakes worldwide, only 250 are able to kill a human with one bite."  If you get bitten by a snake, you should rush to the hospital.  Do Not attempt to suck the venom out, cut the wound, or ice it. Head to the emergency room immediately.  I found the subject on anti-venom particularly interesting, I guess because we live in the United States, where Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths reside. 

I learned that in order to produce the anti-venom, scientists take the venom from Rattlesnakes, Copperheads and Cottonmouths and inject it into a horse (poor horsie), "in ever-increasing dosages" until the horse becomes immune to the venom. The mad scientists then draw blood from the horsie, separate the serum, purify, and freeze-dry it. They then return it to it's liquid state by adding sterile water - at this point it becomes anti-venom.  I just hope you don't own a Cobra, Mamba or Taipan, those anti-venoms are species-specific.

Responsible for: An estimated 50-125,000 fatalities a year.

Hangs out in: Africa, Asia and North America.

Method of dispatch: Snakes are very fast and any part of the human body is a good place for a bite, seeing as the venom can flow into the bloodstream within minutes; although those near major veins and arteries will travel faster. Snakes use their venom to paralyse their prey. A fully grown king cobra can rear up so it looks a man in the eye; others can spit venom into the eye. Nasty.

Useful avoidance techniques: Unsurprisingly, most people come a cropper when they try to harass a snake or draw close to it. Snakes will usually only attack if they’re feeling threatened so the short answer is: stay away! Wear stout boots if hiking and check either side of paths. Don’t mess about looking under rocks or fallen vegetation as you’ll get more than you bargained for. If you come across a snake, back away very slowly, as it can strike to half its length and sudden movements are likely to alarm it.