How well do you understand venomous snakes?

Swift, sneaky, scary... snakes scare us and fascinate us in equal measure, especially the ones with a deadly bite! But knowledge is power, so test your snake savvy with our quiz!

• Why is calling a venomous snake a "poisonous snake" incorrect?

  • these terms are interchangeable

  • venom requires higher doses to kill

  • venom must be injected into the prey

  • venom is more often fatal

• Is the term "venomous" just for snakes?

  • yes

  • no

• Which snake is the most venomous?

  • the black mamba

  • the inland taipan

  • the black-tailed rattlesnake

• Numerous of the most venomous snakes, such as the inland taipan, are responsible for extremely few human deaths. Why is it so?

  • they are reclusive and not aggressive

  • they don't deliver enough venom per strike

  • their short fangs can't pierce skin

  • no one knows

• Which snake is recognized for its impressive hood?

  • garter snake

  • red-bellied black snake

  • Eastern brown snake

  • cobra

• Which of the following is famous for killing cobras?

  • condor

  • zebra

  • mongoose

  • mamba

• What part of the group does the rattlesnake belong to?

  • Crotalus

  • Canidae

  • Colubridae

  • Lampridae

• What color is a black mamba?

  • black, of course

  • brown or grey

  • green

  • any of these

• In which of these continents might the copperhead snake be found?

  • North America

  • Australia

  • Asia

  • all of these

• Some snake venom, such as that of the coral snake, is neurotoxic. What does this mean?

  • brain damage

  • memory lapses

  • heart arrythmia

  • tissue death

10 questions remaining