Extremely sensitive senses and two infrared protrusions on both sides of the head enable snakes to recognize warm-blooded animals in the dark, even when the object is standing still. However, snakes are “sensitive” to movement. When attacked by humans, they will flee or defend by primarily attacking.

That is a characteristic of many poisonous snakes such as cobras, black mambas, rattlesnakes… However, nature always exists in differences.

Mulga venomous snake, also known as King Brown snake (scientific name: Pseudechis australis) is the enemy of humans when sleeping.

The Mulga venomous snake is the largest terrestrial venomous snake in Australia. Photo: Internet

Scientists say that, completely different from other venomous snakes in the world, the Mulga snake attacks when people are sleeping. This proves scary and dangerous.

The Mulga snake is the largest venomous terrestrial snake in Australia. Although there are no venomous snakes like the Australian inland Taipan (the most poisonous land snake on the planet), Mulga possesses more venom in each owl than any other snake in the world.

On average, in each species of Mulga snake, it will secrete about 150mg of venom, while other snakes such as cobras on average secrete from 10 to 40mg of venom.

The Australian Geographic Channel said that with such a large venomous snake, the Mulga snake bite is extremely dangerous, can destroy blood cells (hemolysis), cause cytotoxicity (defoliation of cells), and cause death. myotoxic (affects muscles) and neurotoxic (affects nerve cells).

In a recent study, scientists analyzed 27 cases of solid Mulga clay needles. 10 cases occurred when snakes actively attacked humans. The other 7 cases occurred while sleeping.

An activated Mulga snake will have a cobra-like posture: It will hiss loudly, raise its body high, its head moves flexibly and is ready to attack the enemy. Photo: Internet

The study authors said they do not yet know why the Mulga snakes are sleeping. They speculate that, during the night mouse hunt, they accidentally touched humans and actively attacked to defend.

However, there is another reason why scientists are more worried: the most venomous snake on land in Australia is “crazed” by the hot temperature from the sleeping human body. Maybe they “lost their senses” with fear and wanted something tastier!

Researchers found the majority of Mulga snake attacks in the study occurred between December and March, when Australia is warmer. 80% of victims are men.

Australian Geographic said that although it is called the King Brown snake, Mulga is a member of the black snake genus Pseudechis.

An adult Mulga snake can be 2 to 3 meters long and weigh up to 6kg. We have a big head and a big hook. The color on the basis can vary according to each habitat range, from light brown to dark brown.

The range of this snake is very wide, the widest of all snakes in Australia, spanning the entire continent except the southernmost and extreme southeastern regions, in most Australian states except Tasmania.

Habitat range of Mulga snake (red) in Australia. Source: Wikipedia

Our preferred environments are also very diverse, from wild forests, grasslands, bushes to shallow deserts. Usually, they hide under caves, fallen wood… near where people live.

Their temperament also changes according to their field of life. Southern Mulga snakes are usually quiet and lie still, while Northern Mulga snakes are easily agitated when disturbed or feel threatened.

At that time, they will hiss loudly, raise their body high like a cobra, begin to move flexibly and ready to attack the enemy.