What Part of the World Do These Lethal Snakes Live In?

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
What Part of the World Do These Lethal Snakes Live In?
Image: Mark Kostich/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Humans have struggled with snakes since the dawn of man. Throughout the centuries, these slithery creatures have both mystified and horrified us as various cultures portrayed them as evil incarnations of everything from demons to all-knowing dragons. With a bad reputation, snakes have been collected and used for torture and even murder. They have kept travelers from venturing too far at night. They have even stressed villagers out to the point they can't sleep for fear of waking up to a cold belly crawling across them. 

Not much has changed, of course. The most deadly snakes are still feared around the world and cause hundreds of deaths each year, especially in areas where medical treatment is scarce. The more that human settlement expands, the more we will encounter snakes as well. In some parts of the world, venomous snakes have already started adapting to urban settlements, but humans are still struggling to adapt themselves. 

How much do you know about the most lethal snakes and the regions on this planet they call home? Here's a quiz where you can find out if you are up for the challenge. Get started and see if you're ready for an encounter with one of these lethal creatures!

inland taipan
Jack Reynolds/Moment Open/Getty Images
The inland taipan is the most venomous snake in the world. Do you know where it's found?
Australia
North America
China
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The inland taipan lives in the semi-arid parts of Australia. It's rarely encountered and can be quite shy when it is.

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many-banded krait
WikiCommons via Thomas Brown
An elapid snake, where is the many-banded krait found?
Africa
Europe
China
South America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many-banded kraits are a black or dark blue color. They have white bands, thus the name many-banded, all the way down their bodies.

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Peron's sea snake
Ari Karyadi/Moment/Getty Images
The Peron's sea snake has a spine on its head. Where is it found?
South Africa
Gulf of Thailand​
Canada
India
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Offspring from the Peron's sea snake develop inside the body of the snake. Females usually have around 10 babies per litter.

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black mamba
Howard Pugh (Marais)/Moment Open/Getty Images
The black mamba is the fastest moving land snake. Where is it located?
Japan
Australia
North America
Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Black mambas will strike multiple times if threatened. Each strike is filled with deadly venom, making these snakes extremely dangerous.

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spectacled cobra
Rithwik photography/Moment/Getty Images
Where is the spectacled cobra located?
Europe
United States
South America
India
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spectacled cobras are also called Indian cobras. They are known for their hoods, which they display when threatened.

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fer-de-lance
R. Andrew Odum/Photodisc/Getty Images
The fer-de-lance is a pit viper located where?
Russia
South America
India
Southeast Asia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Costa Rica, nearly half of all snakebites come from the fer-de-lance. These snakes are hard to spot because they often hide among fallen leaves.

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death adder
R. Andrew Odum/Photodisc/Getty Images
The common death adder is native to what region?
North America
South America
Australia
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Death adders do not seek prey like other snakes in Australia. Instead, they are ambush predators, known for hiding until prey passes by.

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banded water cobra
Placebo365/E+/Getty Images
One of two species of water cobras, where is the banded water cobra located?
Africa
Cambodia
Britain
South America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Banded water cobras are rarely seen by humans. This is because they spend most of their time underwater and rarely venture far from a water source.

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Tiger rattlesnakes
James Gerholdt/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Tiger rattlesnakes are known for their aggressive nature. Where are they located?
Australia
China
United States
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The color of a tiger rattlesnake ranges from blue-gray to orange-brown. The color of the snake is divided by dark bands, resembling a tiger.

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Taiwan cobra
WikiCommons via Boris Smokrovic
Where else is the Taiwan cobra located other than Taiwan?
China
Middle East
Africa
Europe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Taiwan cobra is not picky when it comes to food. These snakes will swallow anything that will go down their throats from fish to birds to other snakes.

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Gaboon viper
Daniel Hernanz Ramos/Moment/Getty Images
Where can you find the Gaboon viper?
South America
North America
Australia
Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Gaboon viper is the largest viper in Africa. These snakes can weigh up to 45 pounds and reach lengths of six feet.

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saw-scaled viper
Kristian Bell/Moment Open/Getty Images
One of the most deadly snakes each year, where is the saw-scaled viper located?
Mexico
India
France
Brazil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Part of the danger of a saw-scaled viper is that they live in areas near human settlements. They are also ambush predators who will camouflage themselves while waiting on prey.

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eastern brown snake
Richard Sharrocks/Moment/Getty Images
The eastern brown snake is also known as the common brown snake. Where is it found?
Europe
Australia
North America
China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The eastern brown snake is the second most venomous snake in the world. Even new borns can be dangerous for humans if bitten.

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eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Tom Brakefield/Photodisc/Getty Images
Where can you find the eastern diamondback rattlesnake?
Southeast Asia
South Africa
United States
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest known species of rattlesnake. These snakes are most common in the southeastern region of the United States.

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west coast green rattlesnake
WikiCommons via H. Krisp
A deadly pit viper, where is the west coast green rattlesnake located?
Canada
Britain
India
Mexico
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bite from a west coast green rattlesnake produces a large amount of venom. Luckily, these snakes are not as aggressive as other rattlesnake species.

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rhinoceros​ viper
WikiCommons via H. Krisp
Known for its nasal horns, where is the rhinoceros​ viper located?
Africa
Australia
China
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rhinoceros viper lives in wet environments such as rainforests and swamps. These snakes can be identified by their triangular heads and the hornlike scales on their nose.

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common adder
Zoonar RF/Zoonar /Getty Images Plus
Where is the common adder found?
Europe
India
Japan
South America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Common adders are the most dangerous snakes found in Europe. Since these snakes travel so far north, they will often hibernate during the winter when food is scarce.

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red-bellied black snake
Corey Hayes/Moment Open/Getty Images
Common in urban areas, where is the red-bellied black snake found?
China
Russia
United States
Australia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The red-bellied black snake is not an aggressive snake. However, they often encounter humans living on the east coast of Australia, resulting in multiple snakebites per year.

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Samar cobra
WikiCommons via Harold van der Ploeg
The Samar cobra is a venomous spitting cobra. Where is it located?
Argentina
Philippines​
Canada
India
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Samar cobra is dangerous both for its venomous bite and for spraying venom. The venom from these snakes can cause paralysis and respiratory​ failure.

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Russell's viper
Siddhartha De Photography/Moment Open/Getty Images
With one of the most painful bites of any snake, where is the Russell's viper located?
Taiwan
Japan
India
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Russell's viper was named after herpetologist Patrick Russell. The snake is also called Daboia or "the lurker" in Hindi.

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mamushi pit viper
WikiCommons via Nihonjoe
Where can you find the mamushi pit viper?
China
Taiwan
Japan
Philippines​
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The mamushi is the most common snake in Japan. These snakes bite a few thousand people in Japan each year, resulting in several deaths if medical treatment is not received.

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Jameson's mamba
WikiCommons via Greg Hume
Known for their long tails, where is the Jameson's mamba located?
United States
Africa
South America
Britain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The tail of a Jameson's mamba can stretch a quarter of the snake's length. That's quite significant considering these snakes can grow to over eight feet long.

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tropical rattlesnake
(c) by Cristóbal Alvarado Minic/Moment/Getty Images
A dangerous pit viper, where is the tropical rattlesnake found?
Europe
India
Australia
South America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tropical rattlesnakes are carnivores, eating prey from rodents to fish. They use their venom to paralyze their prey before eating it.

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hundred pacer
WikiCommons via Danleo~commonswiki
Where is the hundred pacer, a venomous pit viper, located?
China
France
South Africa
Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hundred pacer gets its name from the belief that a person can only walk a hundred steps after being bitten by this snake. That may be a little exaggerated, but it is true that antivenom is usually required after being bitten by a hundred pacer.

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massasauga rattlesnake
R. Andrew Odum/Photodisc/Getty Images
A species of rattlesnake, where is the massasauga found?
North America
Middle East
India
Southeast Asia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Adult massasaugas are nocturnal animals, meaning they are encountered at night. During the day, they are found under rocks and limbs.

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tiger snake
WikiCommons via Matt
With color bands similar to tigers, where is the tiger snake found?
Africa
Australia
Europe
South America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tiger snakes have to face multiple predators, which includes humans and loss of habitat. They are vulnerable when it comes to being endangered if their population continues to decline.

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Okinawan habu
WikiCommons
Where is the Okinawan habu located?
Vietnam
Cambodia
Spain
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Okinawan habu can be found on the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. These snakes enjoy hanging out along rock walls and inside tombs.

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cottonmouth
Kristian Bell/Moment Open/Getty Images
A semiaquatic viper, where is the cottonmouth found?
Russia
Pakistan
United States
South Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cottonmouths are also known as water moccasins. These snakes usually don't venture too far from a water source.

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Boomslang
WikiCommons via safaritravelplus
Part of the Colubridae family, where is the boomslang found?
India
China
Philippines
Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Female boomslangs are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. They can produce around 30 eggs per cycle.

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golden lancehead
WikiCommons via Nayeryouakim
Where in South America is the golden lancehead found?
Chili
Brazil
Columbia
Argentina
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The golden lancehead is only located on Ilha da Queimada Grande, an island off the coast of Brazil. Because they have such a small geographical range, these snakes are considered critically endangered.

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Caspian cobra
WikiCommons via Omid Mozaffari
An extremely aggressive snake, where can you find the Caspian cobra?
East Asia
Japan
Central Asia
South Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The bite from a Caspian cobra can cause extreme effects within an hour. Left untreated, victims will die from respiratory failure.

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Coral Snake
Wiki Commons
Sometimes confused with nonpoisonous snakes, where is the coral snake found?
United States
Australia
Europe
South America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Coral snakes are known for their reclusive nature. They are rarely encountered by human but have a deadly bite if they are.

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Cape cobra
Tim Jackson/Photodisc/Getty Images
Growing to as much as five feet long, where in Africa can you find the Cape cobra?
Egypt
South Africa
Nigeria
Libya
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cape cobra has a very small geographic range compared to other cobras in Africa. However, they can be found in a variety of environments from the savanna to deserts.

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king cobra
Visage/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Known for eating other snakes, where is the king cobra found?
Southeast Asia
Australia
Britain
Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King cobras are an important symbol in the culture of India. They are often associated with snake charmers, though charmers use various types of cobras and other snakes.

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copperhead viper
Rex Lisman/Moment/Getty Images
Where can you find a copperhead, a member of the pit viper family?
Africa
India
United States
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Copperheads are known to pursue small prey such as insects. However, when it comes to larger prey, they are ambush predators which will find a good position to attack from.

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Common krait
Wikicommons via Jayendra Chiplunkar
With an appetite for their own, where can you find the common krait?
Japan
Vietnam
Korea
India
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Common krait bites are known for their lack of pain. This can be deceiving, however, because muscle paralysis and respiratory failure can eventually set in.

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forest cobra
Tom Brakefield/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Where can you find the forest cobra lurking?
Africa
Europe
North America
South America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Forest cobras can reach up to 10 feet in length. This makes it the longest species of true cobra in the world.

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jararaca  pit viper
M Moraes/Moment Open/Getty Images
A species of pit viper, where can you find the jararaca?
Canada
Japan
China
South America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The jararaca is a very common venomous snake throughout Brazil. They are known for living in tropical forests across the region.

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Mojave rattlesnake
WikiCommons via Mark Bratton
Native to the United States, where in the country will you find the Mojave rattlesnake?
Northeast
Southwest
Southeast
Northwest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mojave rattlesnakes choose to live in areas with limited vegetation such as deserts. These snakes are extremely deadly with some of the most potent venom of any rattlesnake.

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monocled cobra
Tom Brakefield/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Where can you find the monocled cobra?
Russia
Britain
South Asia
South Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Monocled cobras are famous for their O-shaped hood patterns. These snakes have been known to grow upward of seven feet long.

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