Coastal Taipan

The coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) is a large, highly venomous elapid snake native to coastal northern and eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is considered the third most venomous terrestrial snake in the world by median lethal dose, behind only the inland taipan and the eastern brown snake, and averages around 2 meters in length with some individuals reaching close to 3 meters, making it one of Australia's longest venomous snakes. Its venom is both neurotoxic and coagulopathic, acting quickly on the nervous system and blood clotting, though the snake is primarily diurnal and tends to avoid confrontation unless provoked. It preys chiefly on rats, mice, and bandicoots and is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.