Cyclone the Taipan Venomously Sets New Standard
Sydney, Australia - A captive Australian snake has shattered a world record for the most venom produced in a single milking session. Cyclone, a coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) at the Australian Reptile Park, yielded over 5.2 grams of venom in a single milking, more than triple the average amount and enough to kill 400 people.
"Cyclone is one of the most dangerous snakes at the park, notorious for being unpredictable and keeping us on our toes," said Billy Collett, the park's operations manager.
Coastal taipans are among the most venomous snakes on Earth. These native Australian snakes, typically reaching 2 meters in length, have a distinctive rectangular head with a blue-grey snout and large, amber-colored eyes. Their bodies can vary in color from yellow to reddish-brown, dark brown, and black.
While not the most poisonous snake in the world, coastal taipans are highly aggressive and contribute significantly to the number of snakebite fatalities each year, according to Collett.
Previous Record Broken by Another Taipan
The previous venom yield record was held by another coastal taipan at the park, Whiplash, who produced 4.9 grams in a 2022 milking. The Australian Reptile Park is the sole facility in the country that milks taipans to produce antivenom. Park staff also extract venom from other dangerous snakes, including eastern brown snakes (Pseudonaja textilis), tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus), and black snakes (Pseudechis).
Risky but Rewarding Process
Milking venom from a venomous snake is a risky business. The process involves carefully restraining the snake, guiding its fangs into a small, plastic-covered glass vial, and inducing it to release venom. The extracted venom is then freeze-dried, meaning it is dehydrated at a low temperature, and sent to vaccine manufacturers.
Cyclone's record-breaking venom yield will contribute to saving human lives. Around 3,000 snakebites occur in Australia each year, leading to 500 hospitalizations and an average of two fatalities.
While coastal taipans have been involved in 31 documented snakebites between 2005 and 2015, according to the Australian Snakebite Project, none resulted in fatalities.
Summary
An Australian coastal taipan named Cyclone has set a new world record for the most venom produced in a single milking, exceeding 5.2 grams, enough to kill 400 people. This record-breaking yield will be used to produce antivenom, potentially saving countless lives. The Australian Reptile Park, the only facility in the country that milks taipans, is crucial in ensuring the availability of antivenom to combat snakebites, which occur thousands of times each year in Australia. Cyclone's venom underscores the importance of conservation efforts and research focused on venomous species, contributing to the safety and well-being of humans.