Meet the Western Desert Taipan

Article | Updated 7 years ago

Image of a Western Desert Taipan
Western Desert Taipan
Paul Doughty

The Western Desert Taipan, or Oxyuranus temporalis, is an extremely dangerous desert snake that lives in the western deserts of Western Australia. 

Image of a Western Desert Taipan

Western Desert Taipan
Image copyright Paul Doughty  

Appearance

This reptile can grow up to 170cm in length. It has a dark to light brown back, a slightly paler head with orange spots in this region, and a pale belly.

It is most often seen in spring and summer in its arid homeland. If you see this snake, stay away! 

Food!

This taipan, like the other two species in this genus, has been observed to feed mainly on mammals. 

A dangerous snake 

The Western Desert Taipan was discovered in 2006, and due to its danger to humans, an antivenene has been developed at the Adelaide Zoo.