The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is an incredibly venomous snake found in dry regions of central Australia. Its bite is designed to be lethal to warm-blooded animals such as rats and mice, though their poison may also affect warmblooded creatures like humans.
Wild inland taipans feed on rodents. They will often corner their prey in burrows or soil cracks and bite it repeatedly with such potent venom that the animal succumbs instantly.
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Prey
The inland taipan is a small-scaled snake native to Australia’s far west coast, the western edge of New South Wales and parts of South Australia and the Northern Territory.
This snake preys on small mammals such as long-haired rats and house mice. Additionally, some Inland Taipans have been known to consume day-old chicks.
When hunting, the inland taipan attacks its prey with a series of rapid strikes. Sometimes, up to eight bites can be delivered in one go.
Snakes detect prey by flicking their forked tongue rapidly in and out of their mouth, tasting the presence of potential prey animals. This chemical information is then transmitted to Jacobson’s organ in the roof of the mouth, sending a signal to the snake’s brain.
These snakes are typically solitary and diurnal. They’re most active in the early morning when they hunt for prey around burrows and shelters, though they may also be seen later in the day or at night when temperatures are cooler.
Habitat
The inland taipan is a venomous snake that lives in semi-arid regions of central Australia. Its primary prey are rats and mice, which it uses its powerful venom to quickly dispatch without giving victims any opportunity for resistance.
It hunts in burrows and soil cracks, as well as mammal burrows. It can be found in dry grasslands, sand dunes and rocky outcrops.
At day, the inland taipan hides under rocks, in animal burrows or deep soil cracks. It’s most active in the early mornings and can be seen above ground during cooler months.
Taipans in inland areas tend to be shy and retreat when threatened, so it is best to keep your distance when encountering them in the wild. Their solitary lifestyle has even caused scientists to have difficulty studying them scientifically due to how solitary they are.
Breeding
The inland taipan is an extremely effective predator of mice and small rats. Its venom is potent and fast acting, as it quickly corners its prey in burrows or cracks before biting multiple times without releasing the victim.
Snakes are a common sight in Australia’s dry country. They can be found throughout Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia as well as adjacent regions of the Northern Territory.
Their habitat mainly consists of dry, cracked clay and loamy soils. Inland taipans tend to stay solitary and rarely interact with people; they’re surprisingly calm and shy around people but will give a warning display if they feel threatened or cornered.
This venomous snake is known for its striking seasonal color changes, which help it adapt to the harsh outback climate. In winter, its back and sides turn dark brown; in summer they turn olive yellow. This helps regulate body temperature by absorbing heat in certain spots while reflecting it elsewhere.
Reproduction
The inland taipan is an elapid snake found in semi-arid regions of Central and East Australia. Although it was first observed at the end of the 19th century, scientists weren’t able to fully describe and investigate it until 90 years after its discovery.
The body of an inland taipan is dark tan in colour, with many individual scales featuring a distinct black edge. These markings create V-shaped patterns along both lateral and dorsal sides of the animal.
When mating, males typically rub their chin against a female’s body and twist the lower portion of their bodies under hers in an impressive display of competitiveness known as ritualistic combat.
After mating, the female usually lays between 12-20 eggs in an abandoned animal burrow or deep soil crevice. These eggs hatch within two months and the young snakes grow rapidly under ideal conditions.