Can You Identify These Venomous Snakes?

By: Shayna
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify These Venomous Snakes?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Walking through the woods, jungle, swamps or desert anytime soon?  This quiz could save your life, or at least keep you from panicking if you get bitten by a snake that looks dangerous, but isn't.  It has been estimated that in the United States alone, 7,000 to 8,000 people per year report bites from venomous snakes. Fortunately, with prompt medical care readily available in the U.S, only five of those people may die. However, if you’re on the road less traveled and hiking through South America, Southeast Asia or sub-Saharan Africa, you’ll want to memorize this quiz. Take it now, and find out if you’re ready for the wilderness!

There is a morbid fascination many of us have with assassin snakes.  Did you see the movie, “Snakes on a Plane,” with Samuel L. Jackson? Or the dozens of other killer-snake movies such as, “Tremors," “Slither" or “Anaconda?" One creepy, slithery, venomous snake is all you need to keep you awake at night. But if you’re a herpetologist or a snake enthusiast, you may outshine other quiz takers by sssssscoring high on this snake screenshot quiz!



Black Banded Sea Krait
Shutterstock
What is this water snake called?
Indian cobra
Rhinoceros viper
Mojave rattlesnake
Black-banded sea krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Similar to land snakes, the black-banded sea krait has scales, a forked tongue, and lidless eyes. It also breathes air. Because it spends the majority of its time under water, it differs from land snakes, however, having a short, flattened tail which propels it quickly when swimming.

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Black Necked Spitting Cobra
Shutterstock
This moderately venomous snake is called a ________.
Black-necked spitting cobra
Calliophis bivirgata
Cerastes cerastes
Lachesis muta
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The black-necked spitting cobra doesn’t always have a black neck. Sometimes it can be pure copper or olive brown, and sometimes it can have black and white stripes. It is a very adaptable snake that can thrive in different environments. Its bite is minimally lethal, with a mortality rate of 5-10% for untreated bites.

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Eastern Coral Snake
Shutterstock
Which of these snakes is seen in the picture?
Yellow-bellied sea snake
Copperhead
Eastern coral snake
Water snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Infant coral snakes hatch from eggs laid by the female snake. Coral snakes do not give birth to live young like many of the other North American venomous snakes; which, we'll admit, is not common for reptiles, but only 70% of snakes lay eggs. At birth, coral snakes are seven inches long and are already at their full venomous potential.

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Puff Adder
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This venomous snake is known as a __________.
Puff adder
Many-banded krait
Terciopelo
Dubois' sea snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When disturbed, this snake will coil into a defensive S-shaped posture and hiss loudly. This snake, while not the most venomous in Africa, accounts for the highest number of snake bite fatalities on the continent. This is partly because they are very common, widespread and like to hang out in places that people walk.

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Yellowbelly Sea Snake
Wiki Commons
What is this water creature's name?
Yellow-bellied sea snake
Terciopelo
Malayan krait
South American bushmaster
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in the warm waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans, the Yellow-bellied sea snakes require fresh water to survive, so they've adapted ways to consume it in their saline environment. It lives completely in water.

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Tiger Rattlesnake
Shutterstock
What is the correct name of this North American snake?
Chinese cobra
Malayan krait
Tiger rattlesnake
Common death adder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The intriguing look of a tiger rattlesnake comes from colors varying from bluish gray to lavender, or even buff-colored. Their sides and underbelly can be orange, pink or cream in color. They live in the United States of America and Mexico.

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Horned Viper
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This venomous snake's name is ______________.
Horned viper
Mojave rattlesnake
Terciopelo
Eastern brown snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Horned vipers are ecologically important because they keep a number of rodents under control. They are a smaller snake variety, not normally growing longer than two feet. Despite their small size, they can survive 14 to 18 years in the wild!

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Mojave Rattlesnake
Shutterstock
What is the name of this desert snake?
Hydrophis belcheri
Fer-de-lance
Bothrops jararaca
Mojave rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mojave rattlesnake has the most potent venom of any rattlesnake in North America. Its venom is about 16 times more toxic than that of the sidewinder and surpasses even that of the tiger rattlesnake. It can be particularly aggressive to humans and is quick to defend itself if disturbed.

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Forest Cobra
Shutterstock
If you looked this snake up, its name would be _________.
Jararaca
Green mambas
Inland taipan
Forest cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The forest cobra is the second largest species of cobra on Earth, measuring upwards of seven feet! When in captivity, they become very aggressive and dominating, perhaps due to their large size. They mostly live in central and western Africa.

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Indian Krait
WikiCommons
Identify this venomous snake from southern Asia.
Yellow-bellied sea snake
Indian krait
Easter green mamba
Dugite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Indian krait, or common krait, is one of the four species in India that contribute to most of the snake bites in the country. If left untreated, the bite has a very high mortality rate of 70-80%. The Indian krait is relatively quiet and calm during the day, but more likely to bite at night.

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Western Brown Snake
Shutterstock
What is the name of this Australian snake?
Western brown snake
Bitis arietans
Yellow-bellied sea snake
Timber rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Western brown snakes are found in Australia. Their aboriginal name, gwardar, means "go the long way around." This was probably advice on what to do if you ran into one of these. These snakes use a combination of constriction and venom to kill their prey.

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Eastern Green Mamba
WikiCommons
What is this bright snake's name?
Coastal taipan
Forest cobra
Eastern green mamba
Terciopelo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Eastern green mambas live throughout large parts of the African continent. While scientists aren't certain how long they live in the wild, in captivity, they've been known to live up to 18 years. They mostly eat adult birds, eggs and small mammals, like rodents.

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Caspian Cobra
WikiCommons
This aggressive snake is known as __________.
Tiger snake
Death adder
Caspian cobra
Viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Caspian cobras are generally aggressive starting from a young age. They are great climbers and swimmers, especially when going after their prey. They are the most venomous cobra in the world.

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Mohave Rattlesnake
Shutter Stock
The venomous snake in the image is called the _____________.
Common European viper
Cottonmouth
Eastern green mamba
Mojave rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mojave rattler is the most venomous rattlesnake in the world (although not the most venomous snake.) There is an antivenom available if you're unlucky enough to be bitten, and luckily, fatalities are fairly uncommon despite the nature of this snake's venom.

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Western Green Mamba
WikiCommons
This snake has been identified as the _____________.
Cottonmouth
Western green mamba
Bothrops jararaca
Fer-de-lance
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The western green mamba is native to West Africa. It lives in tropical and woody areas. The toxicity of its venom can vary tremendously, depending on where it lives and what it eats.

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Saw Scaled Viper
Shutterstock
What is this snake named?
Sind saw-scaled viper
Eastern brown snake
Forest cobra
Black desert cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Sind saw-scaled viper (also known as the eastern saw-scaled viper) is found mostly in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and parts of Iran, the UAE and Oman. It lays eggs rather than giving live birth.

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King Cobra
Shutterstock
This snake is known as __________.
Tiger snake
King cobra
Inland taipan
Many-banded krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While not the world's longest snake, the king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake. The largest one ever found was just over 19 feet long, but they average closer to 12 feet. It mostly eats other snakes, and it swallows its prey whole.

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Olive Brown Sea Snake
WikiCommons
What do you call this Indo-Pacific snake?
Western diamondback
Copperhead
Olive brown sea snake
Horned viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The olive brown sea snake has a paddle-shaped tail that helps it swim. It's generally not aggressive towards people, unless it's provoked. The snake's venom helps it digest its prey because it contains enzymes that essentially pre-digest muscle tissue.

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Cottonmouth Snake
Shutterstock
What is this snake found in the American Southeast called?
Pseudechis australis
Trimeresurus stejnegeri
Micrurus fulvius
Cottonmouth snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Like all pit vipers, the cottonmouth snake has two heat sensing pits, located between the eyes and the nostrils. These pits, which are sensitive to infrared light, allow the snake to pinpoint live prey and to strike without needing to physically see them. This hunting adaptation is particularly useful after dark, when most animals’ bodies are warmer than the air around them.

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Banded Krait
Shutterstock
This mostly nocturnal snake is referred to as the _________.
Rhinoceros viper
Rattlesnake
Red-bellied black snake
Banded krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The banded krait is not known to bite during the daytime. During night, however, it can be very vicious. Other snakes make up the largest part of their diet.

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South American bushmaster
Shutterstock
This enormous snake has been identified as the _____________.
Horned viper
Copperhead
South American bushmaster
Black mamba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With an average length of seven feet (although they can regularly grow to ten feet), the South American bushmaster is the biggest viper and the longest snake with a venomous bite in the western hemisphere. It's found in South America and neighboring islands.

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Egyptian Cobra
WikiCommons
Identify this venomous African snake.
Black mamba
Egyptian cobra
Malayan krait
Gaboon viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Egyptian cobra, also referred to as Cleopatra's asp, is rumored to have gotten its name after Cleopatra likely committed suicide with the venom of the Egyptian cobra. If she, in fact, chose this as her method of suicide (which has never been proven) she likely chose this snake because it has unusually quick-acting, deadly venom.

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Spectacled Cobra
WikiCommons
Which Indian snake is seen in the picture?
Caspian cobra
Boomslang
Eastern brown snake
Spectacled cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spectacled cobras are also known as Indian cobras. They're an important part of Indian culture and mythology. Most people are familiar with these snakes as the subjects of snake charmers. These were also the same species as the snakes in the popular story, "Rikk-Tikki-Tavi," by Rudyard Kipling.

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Taiwanese Krait
WikiCommons
What is the name of this venomous Asian snake?
Tiger snake
Black mamba
Taiwanese/many-banded krait
Mali cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Taiwanese/many-banded krait is a nocturnal snake, found throughout China and Southeast Asia. They tend to be defensive when it is dark; however, they are generally a timid and calm species. They tend to hide during the daytime, usually under stones or in holes. Hibernation occurs November through April.

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Fea's Viper
WikiCommons
What is the correct name of this snake?
Micrurus fulvius
Sistrurus miliarius
Fea's viper
Monocled cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Considered the most primitive of vipers, the Fea's Viper inhabits Myanmar, southeastern Tibet, southern China, and northern Vietnam. It has shorter fangs than those of other subfamilies and a somewhat flattened, golden head.

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Coastal Taipan
Shutterstock
People call this snake a __________.
Monocled cobra
Malayan pit viper
Puff adder
Coastal taipan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The coastal taipan lives in coastal regions of Australia and New Guinea. They spend a lot of time in the sugarcane fields. The coastal taipan tends to hunt in the morning, and uses a series of quick successive strikes to kill its prey.

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Timber Rattlesnake
Shutterstock
This snake is called the ____________.
South American bushmaster
Timber rattlesnake
Jararaca
Indochinese spitting cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The timber rattlesnake is a type of pit viper found in the eastern half the United States. Fun fact! The timber rattlesnake is the state reptile of West Virginia, and has been since 2008.

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Speckled Brown Snake
WikiCommons
This Australian snake is known as the ____________.
Mamushi
Tiger snake
Speckled brown snake
Cape cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Speckled brown snakes are usually around four and half feet long. They eat a variety of small animals: frogs, lizards, birds and small mammals. Their venom is more toxic than Indian cobras.

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Mozambique spitting cobra
WikiCommons
What is the name of the snake in the picture?
King cobra
Inland taipan
Mozambique spitting cobra
Boomslang
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mozambique spitting cobra can accurately spray venom up to 10 feet away. Their venom is predominately cytotoxic, causing serious tissue damage. It also causes neurotoxic effects on the central and peripheral nervous system.

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clarence river snake
WikiCommons
Most people call this snake the __________.
Cottonmouth
Rough-scaled snake
Enhydrina schistosa
Western diamondback rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rough-scaled snake is found in isolated pockets of Coastal Queensland and Northern New South Wales. It feeds on frogs, small reptiles, and mammals. While it normally hunts on the ground, it can climb trees to chase after prey.

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Congo Water Cobra
YouTube
What is the name of this venomous animal?
Congo water cobra
Rhabdophis tigrinus
Gaboon viper
Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Congo water cobra is semi-aquatic, and a very good swimmer. It's only found in a small region of central western Africa. It mostly eats amphibians and fish, but will also eat small terrestrial animals.

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Russell's Viper
Shutterstock
What is this venomous snakes's name?
Hydrophis belcheri
Gaboon viper
Russell's viper
Bitis arietans
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This species was named after Patrick Russell, the Scottish herpetologist that was the first scientist to describe many of the Indian snakes. The Russell's viper is a member of the "big four" snakes of India.

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Red Bellied Black Snake
Shutterstock
This deadly snake's name is ____________.
Cottonmouth
Red-bellied black snake
Eastern green mamba
Gaboon viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The red-bellied black snake was first scientifically described in the late eighteenth century. The venom of this snake is mild compared to other similar snakes, causing serious illness, but no deaths.

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Mulga Snake
WikiCommons
What is this poisonous snake named?
Dugite
Chinese cobra
Aipysurus duboisii
Mulga snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though the mulga snake tolerates the venom of other poisonous snakes and spiders (many of which it eats,) they can die after eating the poisonous cane toad. This type of toad is responsible for a drastic decline in the number of mulga snakes in the northern parts of Australia.

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Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
WikiCommons
What is the name of the snake in the picture?
Death adder
Tiger snake
Philippine cobra
Mexican west coast rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also known as the Mexican green rattler or the Mexican west coast green rattlesnake, it's unsurprisingly found on the west coast of Mexico. The snakes are mostly red when they are juveniles, but turn green as adults.

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Monocled Cobra
Shutterstock
What is this patterned snake called?
Monocled cobra
Russell's viper
Samar cobra
Rhinoceros viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Monocled cobras get their name from their O-shape hood pattern, also known as the monocellate hood pattern. They prefer habitats with water features like swamps and rice paddies.

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Eastern Brown Snake
wiki commons
The name of this highly venomous snake is __________.
Tiger rattlesnake
King cobra
Eastern brown snake
Common krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The eastern brown snake is the second most-venomous terrestrial snake in the world. This Australian snake is responsible for roughly 60% of snake bite deaths in the country. They mostly eat small mammals (and other vertebrates) in the wild.

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Puff Adder
Shutterstock
What is this snake called?
Indian cobra
Death adder
Water snake
Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are actually seven distinct species of death adders, and all of them are highly venomous. Without treatment, a death adder bite can kill a person in six hours. Fun fact! Death adders were originally called "deaf adders" because people thought they couldn't hear when they didn't appear to retreat at a threat. Now we know that they, like all terrestrial snakes, sense movement via ground vibrations.

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Black Mamba
Shutterstock
What is the name of this deadly African snake?
Black mamba
Many-banded krait
Rhabdophis tigrinus
Coastal taipan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Black mambas reside in sub-Saharan Africa. They can move up to 10mph and jump. This means that when they defend themselves against an encroaching human, the bites can actually be on the upper body, rather than the feet or legs.

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Lowlands Copperhead
WikiCommons
This venomous snake's name is ______________.
Eastern green mamba
Lowlands copperhead
Golden lacehead
Bothrops jararacussu
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The lowlands copperhead is the only venomous snake found to live higher than the snow line. It is active in weather that is colder than most snakes can tolerate. Copperheads love being around all types of water, including agricultural areas.

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Inland Taipan
WikiCommons
What is this extremely venomous snakes's name?
Indian cobra
Inland taipan
Caspian cobra
Gaboon viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The inland taipan is the most venomous snake in the world. This Australian species is adapted to kill warm-blooded animals, and has enough toxins in a single bite to kill roughly 100 adult men. If left untreated, the mortality rate is greater than 80%. Despite it's highly toxic venom, the snake itself is rather calm and not aggressive.

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Chinese Cobra
Wiki Commons by Thomas Brown
This highly adaptable snake is called the _________.
Monocled cobra
Chinese cobra
Garter snake
Red-bellied black snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chinese cobra is aggressive by nature, but also generally avoids people. They usually eat small animals, including other snakes. It's highly environmentally adaptable, and lives in a wide variety of habitats.

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Philippine Cobra
YouTube
This venom-spitting snake is called a ________.
Cascabel
Red-bellied black snake
Northern Philippine cobra
King cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The northern Philippine cobra is capable of spitting venom up to three meters! The snakes usually eats a wide variety of small, terrestrial animals, but will sometimes go after birds.

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Indochinese Spitting Cobra
WikiCommons
This deadly Southeast Asian snake's name is ____________.
Black mamba
Indochinese spitting cobra
Black desert cobra
Dugite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cobras spit by squeezing their venom glands, which pushes the venom into the fangs and out of the front holes. Spitting cobras have larger holes in their fangs than other venomous snakes, which squirt rather than ooze. If the venom gets in your eyes, it causes serious pain, and temporary (although sometimes permanent) blindness.

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Jararaca
Shutterstock
What is the name of this deadly snake?
Samar cobra
Green mamba
Jararaca
Tiger snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Jararaca is found in South America. A peptide found in its venom was used in the development of ACE inhibitors, which are a medication class used for high blood pressure. The venom was also used to develop an anti-hemorrhagic drug.

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Rinkhals
Shutterstock
The correct name of this snake is the __________.
Rinkhals
Horned viper
Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus
Mamushi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rinkhals are also called ringhals, which is derived from the Dutch word meaning "ringed neck." While they are sometimes called ring-necked spitting cobras, they are not true cobras. Their venom is milder than other, similar species.

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Jameson's Mamba
WikiCommons
What is this arboreal creature's name?
Common European viper
Rhabdophis tigrinus
Boomslang
Jameson's mamba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Jameson's mamba is highly arboreal, more so than other mamba species, and descends to the ground only in pursuit of prey. Because of it's tree-living lifestyle, it often eats birds, but it will also eat other small animals.

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Cape Cobra
Shutterstock
This snake is referred to as the _________.
Vipera aspis
Chinese cobra
Enhydrina schistosa
Cape cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cape cobra is one of the most venomous African cobras. It's known locally, in South Africa, as the yellow snake. Surprisingly, this species is eaten by honey badgers, birds of prey and some species of mongoose.

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Mali Cobra
WikiCommons
The snake in the image is called a _____________.
Cascabel
Mali cobra
Malayan pit viper
Indochinese spitting cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in West Africa, the Mali cobra is a species of spitting cobra. It's habitat ranges from tropical grasslands to the savanna.

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Terciopelo
WikiCommons
If you looked this snake up, its name would be the _________.
Pseudechis australis
Trimeresurus stejnegeri
Terciopelo
Golden lancehead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Costa Rica, the Terciopelo is the considered the most dangerous snake, as they are responsible for almost half of all snake bites and one-third of all hospitalizations. They can be hard to see in their natural habitat, which makes them even more dangerous.

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