1. Acanthophis antarcticus (Common Death Adder)

Family: Elapidae

Habitat: Forests, woodlands, grasslands of Australia

Diet: Carnivorous (small mammals, birds, reptiles)

Venom: Highly venomous, neurotoxic

Description: A stocky snake with a triangular head, known

for its ambush hunting style.

2. Agkistrodon piscivorus (Cottonmouth)

Family: Viperidae

Habitat: Wetlands, rivers, swamps in southeastern U.S.

Diet: Fish, frogs, small mammals

Venom: Venomous, cytotoxic

Description: A semi-aquatic viper, known for its defensive

"gaping" display, showing its white mouth.

3. Boa constrictor (Common Boa)

Family: Boidae

Habitat: Tropical rainforests of Central and South America

Diet: Birds, small mammals

Venom: Non-venomous, kills prey by constriction

Description: A large snake known for its strength and

ability to subdue prey through powerful coils.

4. Bitis arietans (Puff Adder)

Family: Viperidae

Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, and woodlands across

Africa

Diet: Small mammals, birds, amphibians

Venom: Hemotoxic; responsible for the highest number of

snakebite fatalities in Africa

Description: A heavy-bodied viper with a distinctive

pattern, known for its loud hissing and aggressive

demeanor when threatened.

5. Crotalus adamanteus (Eastern Diamondback

Rattlesnake)

Family: Viperidae

Habitat: Pine forests, coastal plains, southeastern U.S.

Diet: Small mammals and birds

Venom: Highly venomous, hemotoxic

Description: The largest rattlesnake species, recognized by

its distinctive diamond-shaped pattern along its back.

6. Dendroaspis polylepis (Black Mamba)

Family: Elapidae

Habitat: Savannas and rocky hills in Africa

Diet: Birds, small mammals

Venom: Neurotoxic; one of the most venomous snakes in

the world

Description: A fast and agile snake with a sleek, dark gray

body and the inside of its mouth is jet black.

7. Eunectes murinus (Green Anaconda)

Family: Boidae

Habitat: Swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams in

South America

Diet: Capybaras, deer, fish, and caimans

Venom: Non-venomous, kills prey by constriction

Description: The heaviest snake in the world, known for its

incredible strength and aquatic lifestyle.

8. Hydrophis platurus (Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake)

Family: Elapidae

Habitat: Tropical oceans, open waters

Diet: Fish

Venom: Neurotoxic

Description: A highly venomous sea snake, known for its

distinctive yellow belly and ability to live entirely at sea.

9. Lampropeltis getula (Common Kingsnake)

Family: Colubridae

Habitat: Grasslands, forests, and deserts of North America

Diet: Other snakes, including venomous species, small

mammals, and birds

Venom: Non-venomous

Description: A constrictor known for its immunity to

venom and its glossy, banded appearance.

10. Naja naja (Indian Cobra)

Family: Elapidae

Habitat: Forests, plains, and agricultural areas in South

Asia

Diet: Small mammals, birds, amphibians

Venom: Neurotoxic

Description: Famous for its hood and threat display, it’s a

highly respected snake in Indian culture.

11. Ophiophagus hannah (King Cobra)

Family: Elapidae

Habitat: Dense highland forests, plains, and mangroves in

Southeast Asia

Diet: Other snakes, including venomous species, and small

mammals

venom: Neurotoxic; one of the most venomous snakes in

the world

Description: The longest venomous snake, capable of

delivering a large amount of venom, and revered for its

intelligence and defensive behavior.

12. Pseudonaja textilis (Eastern Brown Snake)

Family: Elapidae

Habitat: Grasslands, woodlands, and agricultural lands in

Australia

Diet: Small mammals, reptiles, birds

Venom: Highly venomous, neurotoxic

Description: Responsible for the majority of snakebite

fatalities in Australia, known for its speed and aggression

when provoked.

13. Python regius (Ball Python)

Family: Pythonidae

Habitat: Grasslands and savannas in West and Central

Africa

Diet: Small mammals and birds

Venom: Non-venomous, constrictor

Description: A popular pet snake due to its docile nature

and beautiful patterning, known for curling into a ball

when stressed.

14. Sistrurus catenatus (Massasauga Rattlesnake)

Family: Viperidae

Habitat: Wetlands and grasslands in North America

Diet: Small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles

Venom: Hemotoxic

Description: A smaller rattlesnake species, often found in

more northern regions, known for its characteristic rattle

and cryptic coloration.

15. Tropidolaemus wagleri (Wagler’s Pit Viper)

Family: Viperidae

Habitat: Rainforests in Southeast Asia

Diet: Birds, small mammals, and reptiles

Venom: Hemotoxic

Description: Known for its striking green coloration with

black and yellow bands, it is arboreal and mostly

nocturnal.

16. Vipera berus (Common European Adder)

Family: Viperidae

Habitat: Woodlands, meadows, and coastal areas across

Europe and Asia

Diet: Small mammals, lizards, and frogs

Venom: Venomous, with effects typically mild to moderate

in humans

Description: The only venomous snake found in the UK, it’s

a relatively small snake with a distinctive zigzag pattern

along its back.

17. Xenopeltis unicolor (Sunbeam Snake)

Family: Xenopeltidae

Diet: Small mammals, birds, and reptiles

Venom: Non-venomous

Description: Known for its iridescent scales that shimmer

in sunlight, it’s a burrowing snake that spends most of its

time underground.

18. Zamenis longissimus (Aesculapian Snake)

Family: Colubridae

Habitat: Woodlands and forest edges in Europe

Diet: Small mammals and birds

Venom: Non-venomous

Description: Associated with the ancient Greek symbol of

medicine, the rod of Asclepius, this snake is calm and

known for its climbing ability.

19. Micrurus fulvius (Eastern Coral Snake)

Family: Elapidae

Habitat: Pine forests and sandy areas of the southeastern

U.S.

Diet: Lizards, frogs, and other small reptiles

Venom: Highly venomous, neurotoxic

Description: Recognized by its bright red, yellow, and black

bands, this snake has a potent venom but is shy and rarely

bites unless provoked.

20. Thamnophis sirtalis (Common Garter Snake)

Family: Colubridae

Habitat: Wetlands, meadows, and woodlands across North

America

Diet: Amphibians, fish, and small mammals

Venom: Mildly venomous (harmless to humans)

Description: One of the most widespread and well-known

snakes in North America, often found near water.