Deadly snake delivers enough venom to kill 400 humans in record-breaking 'milking'

A captive snake in Australia has broken the world record for the most venom produced in one go, according to the creature's keepers.

With a single bite, the snake — a coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) named Cyclone — ejected more than 0.18 ounces (5.2 grams) of venom. That's three times the average amount produced by a coastal taipan and enough to kill 400 humans, according to the Australian Reptile Park, a zoo located 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Sydney in New South Wales.

"Cyclone is one of our most dangerous snakes here at the park and is known for being quite unpredictable and keeping us all on our toes," Billy Collett, the operations manager at the Australian Reptile Park, said in a statement shared with Live Science.

Coastal taipans are one of the most venomous snake species on Earth. They are native to coastal regions in northern and eastern Australia and typically grow to 6.6 feet (2 meters) long, according to the Australian Museum. Coastal taipans have a rectangular head with a pale snout and large, orange-brown eyes. Their bodies vary in color from yellow to reddish-brown, dark brown and almost black.

Related: Why does Australia have so many venomous animals?

"Coastal taipans are not the most venomous snake in the world, but they are known worldwide for their aggression and bites have caused fatalities every year," Collett said.

The previous venom yield record belonged to another coastal taipan at the park called Whiplash, which produced 0.17 ounces (4.9 g) of venom from a single delivery in 2022.