3.1027 grams of Taipan venom is enough to kill 100 humans. It’s also a record amount to have been collected from a single Coastal Taipan milking.
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Whiplash, the snake that exuded the clear and deadly stuff, is 2.5 metres of long. Milking requires the assistance of two handlers at the Australian Reptile Park, where the average venom yield from a single collection is around 1.8 grams.
“(Whiplash) is one of our most dangerous snakes here at the Reptile Park and can be quite unpredictable,” Head of reptiles Daniel Rumsey said.
“Coastal Taipans are not the most venomous snake in the world, but they are known worldwide for their aggression and bites have caused fatalities every year. We are the only facility in Australia that milks Taipans for the production of antivenom so Whiplash’s record-breaking contribution will go towards saving someone’s life.”
The Australian Reptile Park houses over 250 of the world’s most venomous snakes, which are milked fortnightly as part of Australia’s only venom program that is responsible for the production of antivenom.
