King cobras are the only snake species that watch over their young and both male and female diligently guard their nest and will attack any interlopers who venture near. King cobra bites can kill a full grown elephant in less than 3 hours. The warm ocean waters around Australia and Indonesia are home to 32 varieties of sea snakes. Of these the Beaked Sea Snake has the most toxic venom, attacking the muscles of the body and causing excruciating pain. The initial bite is not painful and if left untreated, the victim dies.
Sea snakes are curious creatures and are generally nonaggressive.
Most encounters occur when fisherman net them or if the snakes are washed ashore after a storm and stepped on or handled by the unwary. Our fear of snakes isn t likely to go away any time soon. But as a scientists continue to study them our attitudes can only change. Perhaps in time we will respect these fascinating reptiles, not fear them, even the most lethal of the world s snakes. Cobras, vipers, and adders are some of the world's most poisonous snakes.