A captive snake in Australia has broken the world record for the most venom produced in one go, according to the creature’s keepers.
With a single bite, the snake – a coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) named Cyclone — released more than 0.18 ounces (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 Australian Reptile Parka zoo located 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Sydney in New South Wales.
“Cyclone is one of our most dangerous snakes here in the park and is known for being quite unpredictable and keeps us all on our toes.” Billy Collettsaid the operations manager at the Australian Reptile Park, in a statement shared with Live Science.
Coastal taipans are one of the the most venomous snake species on Earth. They are native to coastal regions in northern and eastern Australia and typically grow up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) long, according to Australian Museum. Coastal taipans have a rectangular head with a pale snout and large orange-brown eyes. Their bodies vary in color from yellow to reddish brown, dark brown and almost black.
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“Coastal taipans are not the most venomous snake in the world, but they are known around the world for their aggression, and bites have caused deaths every year,” Collett said.
The previous record for poison yield belonged to another coastal taipan in the park called Whiplash, which produced 0.17 ounces (4.9 g) of venom from a single shipment 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), death adders (Acanthophis) and black snakes (Pseudechis).
Milk snakes can be dangerous, according to the statement. “The process of milking a venomous snake requires keepers to secure … the snake, dip its fangs into a large glass covered with plastic and have it deliver its deadly bite,” Collett said. The venom is then freeze-dried, meaning it is dehydrated at a low temperature, and sent to a vaccine manufacturer, Collett said.
The record donation of Cyclone Venom will go towards saving someone’s life, according to the statement. circle 3000 snakebites are reported each year in Australia, resulting in approximately 500 hospitalizations and an average of 2 deaths. According to Australian Snake Bite Projectcoastal taipans bit 31 people between 2005 and 2015, and although no deaths were found in that project, another STUDY recorded at least one death between 2000 and 2016.
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