List of the World's Deadliest Reptiles

Many people think of reptiles as slimy, dangerous creatures and in most instances, this is an unfounded fear. Like many other animals, most reptiles try to stay in their natural habitats, existing peacefully away from humans. However, there are some reptiles that are extremely dangerous when they encounter another animal or a human.

  1. Australian Saltwater Crocodile

    • Australian saltwater crocodile is deadly in part because of its superior hunting and predatory skills and in part because of the way in which it kills its prey. It is a common misconception that crocodiles simply tear prey to shreds with their sharp teeth; however, in most instances, the croc will put prey in a death roll, drowning it before it consumes it. It hides in dark areas before lunging at unsuspecting prey.

    Russell's Viper

    • Found in southeast Asia, the Russell's viper is one of the poisonous snakes on the planet. In fact, according to the Reptile Gardens website, this snake is responsible for the most snake bite deaths in the small country of Sri Lanka. Any time that this snake bites, it unleashes a deadly amount of venom on its prey. In most instances, this snake bites when it is defending itself or its nest.

    Asian Cobra

    • The king cobra is responsible for much of this species' fearsome reputation, but the Asian cobra has an even larger hood and is one of the world's deadliest reptiles. Small mammals are this reptile's preferred food, but humans are sometimes bitten by the snake as well. In the rare instances that death does not occur from an Asian cobra bite, severe tissue damage can be the result, according to West Lake Community Schools. The Asian cobra is mostly found in the forests and grasslands of China, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Generally, the only time this animal ventures into human territory is when there is a large population of mice or rats.