The coastal taipan has two subspecies which are the Papuan taipan or the Oxyuranus scutellatus canni found throughout the New Guinea island’s southern portion and the coastal taipan or the Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus which is found in parts of Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Untreated victims are sure to die since the coastal taipan hardly fails to deliver a lethal dose at a single bite. Death can occur 30 minutes to 2.5 hours after envenomation. The venom of this snake contains taicatoxin, a potent neurotoxin that damages the nervous system of the victim and also inhibits the blood clotting system. 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 taipans are highly venomous elapids belonging to the genus Oxyuranus.
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