Oxyuranus scutellatus                  Carnivore           Diurnal            Status: Least concern

The coastal taipan is similar in many ways to the deadly African black mamba. It is native to New Guinea and the northern and eastern Australian coasts. Adults typically grow to more than 2 meters in length, with some attaining more than 3 meters.

They appear to detect their prey using vision. They quickly bite and release their prey, to allow their venom, the third most powerful among land snakes, to render their meal defenseless.

Photo courtesy of Sue Martinovich.