There Are Over 600 Species of Venomous Snakes — We’ll Be Impressed if You Can Name 40!

By: Jacqueline Samaroo
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
There Are Over 600 Species of Venomous Snakes — We’ll Be Impressed if You Can Name 40!
Image: Pixabay by Sipa

About This Quiz

Don't slither away, these questions aren't that scary!

One of the things people fear most about snakes is being poisoned. While this is a somewhat valid fear to have (especially in some parts of the world), the fact remains that the vast majority of snakes alive today are nonvenomous—these snakes either constrict their foes or swallow them whole. Regardless, every year there are millions of reported cases of envenomings as a result of snake bites. These bites usually result in pain and paralysis, but in extreme cases death can occur. In fact, some of the deadliest venomous snakes in the world (like the inland taipan) can cause a fully grown adult to die in less than an hour if the bite is left untreated.

In this quiz, we've sorted through the hundreds of venomous snakes in the world and selected only the best of the best. These are some of the deadliest, most notable, or just the strangest venomous snakes from all of the corners of the world. So, do you think that you have what it takes to outsmart these deadly questions? Then let's jump right in and get started.

King Cobra
Pixabay by Antriksh
Which of these is the longest venomous snake in the world?
King cobra
Stephens's banded snake
Tiger snake
Caspian cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although it is one of the most iconic snakes to have the title of "cobra," the king cobra is not actually a part of the genus Naja. The king cobra also holds the distinction of being the world's longest venomous snake species and on average they can reach up to 13 feet long.

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Black-Banded Sea Krait
Sirachai Arunrugstichai / Moment / Getty Images
What is the name of this water-loving snake from the Pacific that is active at night?
Russell's viper
Saw-scaled viper
Black-banded sea krait
Jameson's mamba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As its name suggests, the black-banded sea krait spends most of its time underwater, venturing on land only to lay eggs. In some of the regions where it makes its home, this snake is simply referred to as the Chinese sea snake.

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Western Green Mamba
A.Töfke Cologne Germay / Moment Open / Getty Images
Do you know the name of the tree-loving venomous snake from West Africa?
Monocled cobra
Clarence river snake
Western green mamba
Boomslang
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The western green mamba is a relatively nimble species of snake that is more at home in trees than on the ground. While its venom is extremely fast-acting and deadly, interaction between this snake and humans is rare because of its relatively shy nature.

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Spectacled Cobra
Rithwik Photography / Moment / Getty Images
This venomous snake is responsible for a large amount of the snake bites in India, what is its name?
Black-necked spitting cobra
Spectacled cobra
Speckled brown snake
Blue krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The spectacled cobra is also widely known as the Indian cobra, a name that is a direct reference to the Indian subcontinent where it primarily makes its home. It is notable for being one of the most significant animals in Indian mythology.

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Beaked Sea Snake
Wiki Commons by Vikramonice
Most of the bites that come from aquatic snakes are caused by what species?
Beaked sea snake
Blue-bellied black snake
Atlantic bushmaster
Dubois' sea snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The beaked sea snake is notably responsible for well over half of all sea snake bites in the world. This relatively aggressive elapid is also known as the common sea snake in some regions.

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Banded Krait
Wiki Commons by Sanjaya Kanishka
What is the name of the beautiful black and yellow snake that makes its home in South Asia?
Banded krait
Eyelash viper
Collett's snake
Mexican west coast rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The banded krait gets its name from its prominent coloration, which features alternating black and yellow bands. The length of the banded krait averages between 4 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 11 inches, making it one of the longest kraits in the world.

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Tiger Rattlesnake
Wiki Commons by Ltshears
Do you know the venomous North American snake that shares its name with a big cat?
Cape cobra
Mulga snake
Coral snake
Tiger rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The tiger rattlesnake gets its name from the striped pattern that covers its entire body. Its native habitat straddles the border between the United States and Mexico, specifically in Arizona and Sonora.

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Eastern Green Mamba
Tom Brakefield / Corbis / Getty Images
Which shy venomous snake makes its home primarily in East Africa?
Coastal taipan
Red-bellied black snake
Eastern green mamba
Cottonmouth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps), also known as the common mamba, East African green mamba, green mamba, or white-mouthed mamba, is a large, tree-dwelling, highly venomous snake species of the mamba genus Dendroaspis. [ed note: Plagiarized from Wikipedia. Suggest cutting first sentence. Was unable to make a note in the MFCS.] Like its cousin, the western green mamba, the eastern green mamba spends most of its time in trees. Although it is fast and can chase down prey, the eastern green mamba is not usually an active hunter, preferring to lie in wait to ambush its prey.

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Inland Taipan
Pixabay by Kapa65
The most venomous snake in the world goes by what name?
Northern Philippine cobra
Horned viper
Copperhead
Inland taipan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As its name suggests, the inland taipan has a geographical range that spans the inland regions of central-east Australia. It holds the distinction of being the most venomous snake in the world; however, its relatively shy nature means it is not considered to be the most dangerous.

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Taiwanese Krait
Wiki Commons by Thomas Brown
Southeast Asia is home to which striped venomous snake?
Ring-necked snake
Pigmy rattlesnake
Coral snake
Taiwanese krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Taiwanese krait is a venomous snake that makes its home in the marshy ares of Southeast Asia and southern China. The Taiwanese krait is also known in some regions as the Chinese krait or the many-banded krait.

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Indian Krait
Wiki Commons by Jayendra Chiplunkar
What is the name of the snake-eating venomous snake that is found in South Asia?
Mottled rock rattlesnake
Indian krait
Golden lancehead
Small-scaled burrowing asp
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Indian krait is a species of snake that is prevalent throughout the Indian subcontinent, a fact that has often led to it being simply referred to as the common krait. In India, there are four snake species that are responsible for the vast majority of snakebites on humans and the common krait is without a doubt the most prevalent offender.

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Annulated Sea Snake
Brandi Mueller/Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images / Getty Images
This aquatic snake that loves shallow waters goes by what name?
Annulated sea snake
Jararaca
Malayan pit viper
Ring-necked snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The annulated sea snake is a species of aquatic snake that makes its home throughout the Indian Ocean and also throughout the waters of the Western Pacific Ocean. It primarily makes its home in somewhat shallow coastal waters, where it feeds on invertebrates, eels, and other relatively small fish.

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Rinkhals
Digital Vision / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Do you know the name of the African snake that looks like a cobra but isn't actually one?
Mainland tiger snake
Common lancehead
Rinkhals
Puff adder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rinkhals is a species of venomous snake that makes its home in the southern reaches of Africa. While the rinkhals is not actually a true cobra it is often referred to as the ring-necked spitting cobra because of its appearance.

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Dugite
Wiki Commons by Bradford G. Jones
The highly venomous but shy snake from the southwest reaches of Australia goes by what name?
Gaboon viper
Dugite
Mamushi
Yellow snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dugites are not particularly aggressive around humans; however, they are often found living close to human settlements. The dugite's venom can be fatal to humans, with victims experiencing swelling, intense pain, and eventually death if the bite is left untreated.

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Fea's Viper
Wiki Commons by TimVickers
What is the name of this South Asian snake that loves cool mountainous areas?
Fea's viper
Corn snake
Sidewinder rattlesnake
Black mamba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fea's viper is often thought to be one of the most primitive vipers that is still alive to this day. It can be found throughout Southeast Asia, primarily in Tibet, Vietnam, and Southern China.

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Mojave Rattlesnake
Wiki Commons by Todd Huffman
A desert in California shares its name with which venomous snake?
Congo water cobra
Wagler's pit viper
Common night adder
Mojave rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While the Mojave rattlesnake shares its name with the Mojave Desert in California, its range extends further south into a large portion of Mexico as well. It holds the distinction of having the most potent rattlesnake venom in the world.

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Forest Cobra
Wiki Commons by Mark Pellegrini
This African snake is the largest member of its species in the world, what is its name?
Eastern brown snake
Jararacussu
Forest cobra
Common European adder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The forest cobras can reach up to 10 feet in length, a fact that makes it the longest true cobra in the world. It is notably the 4th most venomous species of cobra in the world, having venom that can cause death within half-an-hour to two hours.

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Olive-Brown Sea Snake
Wiki Commons by Sylke Rohrlach
Do you know the name of the fearsome aquatic snake from the Indo-Pacific that is primarily preyed upon by sharks?
Lowlands copperhead
White-lipped pit viper
Olive-brown sea snake
Western diamondback
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As its name suggests, the olive-brown sea snake has adapted to be able to live underwater, only surfacing on occasion to breathe. Its diet primarily consists of fish eggs, fish, and crustaceans.

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Chinese Cobra
Wiki Commons by Thomas Brown
What is the name of the Asian snake that is also known as the Taiwan cobra.
Banded water cobra
Boomslang
Chinese cobra
Sharp nosed viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While it can sometimes be seen in some parts of Southeast Asia, the Chinese cobra primarily makes its home in southeastern China and Taiwan. The venom of the Chinese cobra can be fatal if left untreated; however, the appropriate antivenom is readily available in many areas.

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Eastern Coral Snake
Kristian Bell / Moment / Getty Images
Florida is filled to the brim with which venomous snake?
Eastern coralsnake
Diamondback water snake
Red diamond rattlesnake
Death adder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The eastern coral snake makes its home in the southeastern reaches of the US, with a range that covers all of Florida and parts of the adjoining states. It is oftentimes referred to as the American cobra, even though it is not considered a true cobra.

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Common Death Adder
Wiki Commons by Cliff
This deadly Australian snake is being threatened by the invasive cane toad, what is its name?
Eastern coralsnake
Red diamond rattlesnake
Eastern diamondback
Common death adder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The common death adder makes its home in the eastern and southern reaches of Australia. It is not an active hunter, it instead prefers to wait and ambush passing prey.

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Elegant Sea Snake
Pixabay by MemoryCatcher
What is the name of the "exquisite" aquatic snake that lives off the coast of Australia?
Boomslang
Elegant sea snake
Sharp-nosed viper
Chinese cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This aquatic snake species makes its home in relatively shallow waters off the coast of Australia. On average they can grow to a length of about 6 and a half feet, but one was found to be over 8 feet long.

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Lowlands Copperhead
Wiki Commons by BotherdbyBees
Which venomous Australian snake shares its name with an American snake?
White-lipped pit viper
Lowland Copperhead
Western diamondback
Olive-brown sea snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The lowland copperhead can pose a significant threat to human life if it feels threatened, since its venom can potentially cause death if left untreated for even a short amount of time. The lowland copperhead is primarily found in Tasmania and the southeastern reaches of the Australian mainland.

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Eastern Brown Snake
Richard Sharrocks / Moment / Getty Images
The land snake that ranks as second most venomous goes by what name?
Eastern brown snake
Common European adder
Jararacussu
Forest cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although it may look unassuming with its relatively dull appearance, the eastern brown snake is the runner-up for most venomous land snake. In addition, records have shown that it is the culprit behind over half of Australia's snake-bite deaths.

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Congo Water Cobra
Kongo Project
This Sub-Saharan snake shares its name with a river and two countries in Africa, what is its name?
Mojave rattlesnake
Common night adder
Wagler's pit viper
Congo water cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As its name suggests, the Congo water cobra is well adapted to functioning in water and can usually be found hiding under bridges or among rocks. Its secondary name, Christy's water cobra, is a direct reference to the English zoologist Dr. Cuthbert Christy.

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Black Mamba
Danial Hernanz Ramos / Moment / Getty Images
Which of these is the second-longest venomous snake in the world?
Fea's viper
Sidewinder rattlesnake
Black mamba
Levantine viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The black mamba is a Sub-Saharan snake that has a notorious reputation in the area because of both its size and its toxicity. This African snake holds the distinction of being the runner-up for longest venomous snake in the world, being beat only by the king cobra.

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Western Brown Snake
Wiki Commons by Andy
Do you know the name of this Australian snake that is not only venomous but also extremely fast as well?
Okinawa habu
Mamushi
Central African gaboon viper
Western brown snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The western brown snake is one of the most common snakes in Australia and it can be found throughout most of the country's regions. Although it is most at home in arid locations in the wild, the western brown snake can also sometimes be found living in urban areas as well.

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Mainland Tiger Snake
Wiki Commons by Teneche
Which dangerous Australian snake shares its name with a ferocious big cat?
Mainland tiger snake
Puff adder
Common lancehead
Rinkhals
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The mainland tiger snake primarily makes its home in Australia's southern reaches, around wetlands and coastal regions. The name of this extremely venomous snake species is a reference to its banded coloration that somewhat resemble the stripes of a tiger.

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Yellowbelly Sea Snake
Wiki Commons by Carpenter0
This venomous aquatic snake, which can be found throughout most of the Indo-Pacific goes by what name?
Indian python
Malayan pit viper
Jararaca
Yellowbelly sea snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While most snakes lay eggs when reproducing, female yellowbelly sea snakes actually go against this norm and keep the eggs within their bodies and bear live young. The range of this snake is quite extensive, being found in all tropical waters around the world except for the Atlantic Ocean.

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Indochinese Spitting Cobra
Wiki Commons by Tontanthailand
What is the name of the Southeast Asian snake that can launch venom at its targets at high speeds?
Mottled rock rattlesnake
Indochinese spitting cobra
Small-scaled burrowing asp
Indian krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Indochinese spitting cobra is a deadly venomous snake that makes its home in Southeast Asia. Its first method of attacking is usually to try and spit venom at its foe, if this fails then it will then try to bite in order to envenom its target.

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Saw-Scaled Viper
Kristian Bell / Moment / Getty Images
This snake is the smallest species in the "big four," what is its name?
Pigmy rattlesnake
Saw-scaled viper
Timber rattlesnake
Taiwanese krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The range of the saw-scaled viper extends from the Middle East all the way throughout the Indian subcontinent. It is also notable for being a member of the "big four" snake group, which is the group of snakes that causes the most snake bites (on humans) in the Indian subcontinent.

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Northern Philippine Cobra
Rich McColl
Which snake shares its name with an island nation in Southeast Asia?
Northern Philippine cobra
Copperhead
Horned viper
Inland taipan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The name of this snake describes its geographical distribution perfectly, as it can only be found in the most northerly reaches of the Philippines. The Philippine cobra is extremely venomous and is capable of spitting its venom at its adversaries at high speeds.

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Coastal Taipan
Henry Cook / Moment Open / Getty Images
What is the third-most venomous land snake in the world?
Eastern green mamba
Red-bellied black snake
Coastal taipan
Cottonmouth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The coastal taipan makes its home in warm coastal areas throughout the southern portion of New Guinea, as well as the eastern and northern reaches of Australia. When ranking the most venomous land snakes, the coastal taipan comes in third behind the inland taipan and eastern brown snake.

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Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
Wiki Commons by Danleo~commonswiki
What is the common name of the North American snake whose scientific name is derived from the mythological basilisk?
Banded krait
Eyelash viper
Collett's snake
Mexican west coast rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As its name suggests, the primary geographic range of this snake stretches across a large portion of Mexico's west coast. The scientific name of the Mexican west coast rattlesnake (basiliscus) is a direct reference to the massive mythological serpent king, the basilisk.

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Dubois' Sea Snake
BlueWorldTV
Do you know the name of the extremely venomous aquatic snake that lives in coral reef flats?
Dubois' sea snake
Atlantic bushmaster
Blue-bellied black snake
Timber rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the most notable things about the Dubois' sea snake is the fact that it holds the title of most venomous sea snake in the world. As a direct reference to its preferred habitat, this snake is sometimes referred to as the reef shallows sea snake.

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Speckled Brown Snake
Wiki Commons by Paskual13
What is the name of the highly venomous spotted snake that can only be found in Australia?
Black-necked spitting cobra
Speckled brown snake
Green anaconda
Spectacled cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The speckled brown snake has a relatively limited geographical range that primarily encompasses a significant portion of the northeastern reaches of Australia. It has, however, been known to leave its native area on occasion, and has been seen in Queensland and even as far south as South Australia.

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Spiny Bush Viper
Wiki Commons by Bree Mc
The highly venomous viper that is a part of the Indian big four goes by what name?
Desert horned viper
African puff adder
Russell's viper
Spiny bush viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Russell's viper is native to the Indian subcontinent and most of the adjoining areas (like Southern China and parts of Southeast Asia). Its name is a direct reference to the notable Scottish herpetologist Patrick Russell.

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Cape Cobra
Wiki Commons by JonRichfield
This deadly African snake is found primarily in South Africa, what is its name?
Aquatic garter snake
Tiger rattlesnake
Mulga snake
Cape cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Its name is a reference to the fact that it is largely native to the capes of South Africa (namely the Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape). The Cape Cobra primarily prefers to inhabit arid locations like deserts and savannas; however, it can be found in forested areas as well.

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Monocled Cobra
Tom Brakefield / Stockbyte / Getty Images
The relatively common Southeast Asian snake that is known for its "spectacled" appearance goes by what name?
Indian python
Monocled cobra
Clarence river snake
Western green mamba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The monocled cobra is relatively abundant in its natural habitat and it is one of the many diverse species of cobra that can be found in South and Southeast Asia. They are often hunted for their skins, but they are still not in any danger of being endangered.

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Caspian Cobra
Wiki Commons by TimVickers
What is the name of the venomous snake that shares its name with the large lake between Asian and Europe?
Caspian cobra
Black rat snake
Stephens's banded snake
King cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Like many cobras, the Caspian cobra will generally try to avoid humans; however, it is notable for being quick to anger and very aggressive if it feels even somewhat threatened. The range of this venomous snake extends across the northern reaches of the Indian subcontinent and a significant portion of central Asia.

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Pixabay by Sipa