Hordes of European rats and mice replaced the declining bandicoot. Inland Taipans reach 2.5 metres. The smaller size, shorter fangs and small quantities of venom seems to be related to smaller prey. It feeds exclusively on small native mammals. The main prey species is the native Plague Rat, Rattus villosissimus.
Enormous populations build in the flood plains after good rains.
Because of their remote location few people have been bitten by the Inland Taipan. Also no one has died from an Inland Taipan bite. In an isolated area of South Australia, Rob Bredl's father, Joe was bitten while catching one and barely survived. The most recent victim was John Robinson, bitten while cleaning the Inland Taipan's cage at his Reptile Display on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. He weathered the bite without antivenom but sustained considerable muscle damage as well as heart damage.