Meet the Western Desert TaipanArticle | Updated 2 months ago 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. 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.