Elapid snakes are characterized as being proteroglyphs, or possessing short fixed/semi-fixed front fangs attached to the upper/maxillary bones. This grouping contains some of the most lethally toxic genera/species.

Examples of dangerous elapid species;

Naja	Cobras
Bungarus	Kraits
Micrurus	Coralsnakes
Dendroaspis	Mambas
King Cobras	Ophiophagus

Australian elapid species;

Taipans	Oxyuranus
Tigersnakes	Notechis
Death Adders	Acanthophis
Brownsnakes	Pseudonaja
Pseudechis	Blacksnakes

Generally, elapid snakes possess venoms classified as neurotoxins, which are nerve poisons. These tend to impede, interfere with or block the transmission of nerve impulses. Neurotoxins may attack both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Some of these neurotoxins cause paralysis of skeletal muscles, including diaphramatic muscle groups. Others cause a general excitation of cardiac muscles which produces cardiac fibulation and arrythmia. Neurotransmissions control all of the body's functions. Without the ability to con- duct and control nerve impulses, the organism loses the ability to maintain life functions and dies.

Elapid snakes, with their various neuro- toxic venoms, account for a high percentage of human fatalities worldwide each year. Cobras are responsible for thousands of deaths alone. There are several species of Cobra in Asia and several more in Africa. Therefore, Cobras share quite a large area of the earth, with humans.

Australia is inhabited by snakes possess- ing some of the most deadly neurotoxins known. The common coastal variety of the Taipan, is one of the world's most dangerously toxic snakes. This animal is extremely formidable. It is large, swift, agile, possesses copious quantities of highly toxic dual functioning neurotoxin, has long fangs and often strikes repeatedly during an attack. Without prompt antivenom therapy, death is a certainty. Even so, death from Taipan bites are measured in hours. The common/coastal variety of the Taipan, ( Oxyuranus scutulatus scutulatus ) has the least toxic venom of the Taipan clan. The Papuan Taipan of New Guinea, ( Oxyuranus s. canni ) and the Western or Inland Taipan, ( O. microlepidota ) of Australia, are both known to have more toxic venoms. In fact, Oxyuranus microlepitotus is THE MOST TOXIC terrestial snake venom ever tested. No Cobra venom matches any of the Taipan venoms in toxicity studies,( measured in milligrams of venom per kilograms of body weight for test mice. )The Taipans, collectively speaking, are the most toxic genus of venomous land dwelling snakes on the earth.

There have been a few cases of fatal elapid envenomation, where death has occured in less than an hour. These constitute a small minority of cases and are probably the result of a massive dose of venom, being injected direct- ly into a major artery or vein.

Given the toxicity of some of the most dangerous elapid species, average time to death in cases of human envenomation is still measured in hours, not minutes and certainly, NOT STEPS TAKEN AFTER BEING BITTEN. For example; Human deaths from very lethal and quick killing elapid snakes, such as King Cobras, Black Mambas, the Taipans, and certain members of the Cobra family, (including African Cape Cobras & certain Asian Cobras ), average from six to twelve hours.

True vipers and pit-vipers constitute the viperid family of snakes. A common character- istic of the viper/pit-viper, is the presence of long, retractable fangs, which are located anter- iorly at the maxillary. The term describing this condition is, Solenoglyph, pertaining to having swordlike or scythelike teeth.

Pit Vipers differ from true Vipers by possessing a thermo receptive pit between the nostrils and eyes. As the name implies, the pit senses, or detects heat sources. The snake utilizes this organ in conjunction with other senses, sight and smell to locate and identify prey and threats. The pit is extremely sensitive and can detect minute differences in it's sur- roundings. The pit viper can use the pit with efficiency, even if the snake is blind. In short, the eyes are an extra feature, which is probably as useful in detecting motion, as in keen vision. Pit Vipers are also known as Crotalidae/Crotalids.

The following are examples of Crotalidae which are known to have caused human fatalities.

Crotalus	Rattlesnakes
Bothrops	Fer-de-lance types
Lachesis	Bushmasters
Agkistrodon	Moccasins
Trimeresurus	Asian Lanceheads(Habus,etc.)
*Deinagkistrodon	Sharp-nosed Viper(Hundred-pacer)

The following are examples of True Viperid genera that have caused fatalities in humans.

Daboia/Vipera	Russell's Vipers
Bitis	Gaboon, Rhinocerous Vipers and Puff Adders
*Echis	Saw Scaled or Carpet Vipers

{NOTE: * Denotes snakes probably involved in the myth.}

These reduce, inhibit or destroy the clotting mechanisms of blood serum.

With these venoms, the clotting actions on the blood serums are greatly increased or magnified.

These have no effect on blood clotting.

Generally cause internal bleeding to occur by changing the permeability of vascular membranes.

Dispholidus Boomslangs
Thelotornis Bird/Twigsnakes

Ophidiophiles: make a copy to show to the real victems of the Asian 2-Step Viper, the innocent ignorants. Help to educate them.

Submitted to herpers everywhere, Stephen P. MACH 5/4/98

P.S. Quite possibly the world's most deadly venomous creature isn't even a snake. Strong arguments supporting this dubious distinction, implicate the Sea Wasp. ( HUH?) The Australian Box Jelly- fish, ( Chironex fleckeri ). Human en- venomation by these "Stingers" are known to have causes fatalities in under five minutes.( Death is accompanied by excru- ciatingly burning pain.)