![]() ![]() The snake feeds mainly on warm-blooded animals like small mammals and birds. The coastal taipans can be found in a wide range of habitats including monsoon forests, woodlands, wetter temperate to tropical coastal regions, etc. The ventral surface is usually creamy-white to pale light yellow in color. The body color of the snake varies from uniform light olive to reddish-brown to dark gray and black. Research has revealed several similarities between the black mamba of Africa and the coastal taipan including the long and narrow head of the species. Adults of this species can attain lengths up to 6.6 feet. ![]() The coastal taipan is Australia’s largest venomous snake and the world’s sixth-most venomous snake based on its murine LD50 value. The coastal taipan or the common taipan ( Oxyuranus scutellatus) is a big and extremely venomous snake that is native to northern and eastern Australia’s coastal regions and is also found on the island of New Guinea. The Central Ranges taipan is a large and agile snake that like the other taipan species possesses a highly toxic venom. This snake was recently described in 2007 by four Australian researchers Mark Hutchinson, Brad Maryan, Paul Doughty, and Stephen Donnellan. One of the three species of taipan is the Central Ranges taipan or the Oxyuranus temporalis. Here, we discuss the different species of taipans and their distinguishing characteristics. Currently, three species of taipan have been recognized of which the coastal taipan has two subspecies. The snakes are endemic to Australasia and are known for their large size, high agility, and toxic venom. The newly-hatched snakes, being approximately 36 cm in length, will begin feeding on small mice.The taipans are highly venomous elapids belonging to the genus Oxyuranus. The Taipan is an egg layer, producing up to 24 eggs in a clutch.Not one to be messed with! The only record of a Taipan from Brisbane was in 1958 from the suburb of Runcorn.The venom of the Coastal Taipan contains a potent blood thickener, and it also attacks muscles and the nervous system.The maximum length recorded was from a 3.3-metre-long snake caught at Tully in the early 1960s. The coastal taipan is Australia's longest venomous snake.The newly-hatched snakes, being approximately 36 cm in length, will begin feeding on small mice. The Taipan is an egg layer, producing up to24 eggs in a clutch. When hunting rats this snap and release biting techniqueprevents the rat from inflicting a fatal bite on the Taipan's slender and vulnerable neck. Once the Taipan bites the prey item it quickly pulls back from the animal, and waits for the prey's demise. The Taipan uses a 'snap and release' bite. Through this diet of rats the Coastal Taipan has evolved a unique hunting technique, that, when coupled with a venom powerful enough to subdue large rats quickly, aids in the hunter not being killed by its prey. The Coastal Taipan is mainly diurnal (active during the day) and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), though is sometimes nocturnal.The only record of a Taipan from Brisbane was in 1958 from the suburb of Runcorn. This toxin also attacks muscles, releasing myoglobin and muscle enzymes, such as creatine kinase. The average length of a Coastal Taipan caught nowadays is about 2 metres.The venom of the Coastal Taipan contains a potent procoagulant, and a presynaptic neurotoxin called taipoxin. The Coastal Taipan is Australia's longest venomous snake. ![]()
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