Inalnd Taipan

Serpent Venimeux 21/22 Inland Taipan GENERAL KNOWLEDGE GROUP

HABITAT The inland taipan inhabits the black soil plains in the region where Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory borders converge. There is little in the way of cover or vegetation, the snakes utilizing the deep cracks and fissures formed in the dry soil to escape predators and the searing heat. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE GROUP

BREEDING Mating may last for several hours, and a female may mate with more than one male during the breeding season. About 2 months after mating, the female lays up to 20 eggs, with an average clutch size of 16 eggs. Older females (which have a larger body size) generally lay more eggs than younger ones. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE GROUP

FEEDING Inland Taipans eat only mammals. The prey taken most often is the native Long-haired or Plague Rat (Rattus villosissimus). The snake corners the rat in its burrow or in deep cracks in the soil, then bites it quickly several times without releasing it. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE GROUP

NATURAL THREATS The mulga snake (Pseudechis australis) is immune to most Australian snake venom and is known to also eat young inland taipans. The perentie (Varanus giganteus) is a large monitor lizard that also shares the same habitat. As it grows large enough, it will readily tackle large venomous snakes for prey. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE GROUP

INTERACTION WITH HUMANS For the most part, these reptiles avoid interactions with humans. They are fast-moving snakes, and typically flee when a human comes too close. However, if they feel trapped or cornered, they do defend themselves. The Coastal species is more aggressive when trapped than the Inland species. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE GROUP

VENOM The venom of the Inland Taipan is extremely potent and is rated as the most toxic of all snake venoms in LD50 tests on mice. As well as being strongly neurotoxic the venom contains a 'spreading factor' (hyaluronidase enzyme) that increases the rate of absorption. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE GROUP

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