What is the most venomous snake in the U.S.?

Question

Just another test question for the real herpers.

Answer 1

It really depends on how you define "most venomous". If you mean venom yield, or the actual amount of venom injected, then the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is your answer by default, simply because it is the largest venomous snake in North America. However, professional venom researchers rely on a lab test called the "LD50" to determine the actual potency of a toxic substance, in this case snake venom. According to one of the world's leading and most respected researchers in this particular field, Australian-born Dr. Bryan G. Frye, the most venomous US snake will come as a bit of a surprise-the Tiger Rattlesnake(Crotalus tigrinus)of the American Southwestern deserts! Following this would no doubt be our only Elapid(Cobra family)snake, the Coral Snake, but due to its small size and retiring nature, it is not considered to be as big a threat as the larger pit viper snakes, and most people who live within their range will never see one in the wild.

Answer 2

Didn't we already do this? The Tiger rattler at an LD-50 of 0.21mg/kg, beats out the 'usual' answer of Coral snake at 1.3mg/kg.

The smaller the number, the more dangerous the venom.

Unless you mean total venom yield, which would be the Western Diamondback.

Answer 3

Coral Snake

Answer 4

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake - Commonly found in the SE U.S. in lower coastal plains; SE North Carolina to Florida Keys, W to S Mississippi and E Louisiana. Attains a maximum length of 96", which makes it our largest rattlesnake. Has a reputation for being the most dangerous snake in North America. Found from sea level to 500'.

Answer 5

Coral snakes Micruroides sp., have a neurotoxin thats no fun to have in your system, butt he Eastern Diamond Back Crotalus adamanteus delivers more venom in its bite and because of its large size, it is potentially more dangerous (assuming you are speaking of adult sized snakes) also, the Mojave Rattlesnakes Crotalus scutulatus have a combination of Neurotoxin and Hematoxin as do the Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis helleri. I would say the most venomous snake in the US is the one that happens to be biting you at the time of the question! Thanks, Leo

Answer 6

The most poisonous snake venom, drop-for-drop, is the Fierce Snake from
Australia.

Answer 7

Coral snake.

Answer 8

rattle snake