This aggressive and highly venomous snake is found along the coast of northern Australia from Brisbane to , and as far south as the Kimberleys in western Australia. It has the largest fangs (13mm) and is the longest venomous Australian snake (up to 3m) It usually hunts during the day, except in very hot weather, when it hunts in the evening. Its diet consists mainly of rats, mice, thereby attracting it to barns, farms and other habitations. It is not usually aggressive unless cornered or attacked, when it may strike rapidly, inflicting multiple bites. Prior to the introduction of antivenom (in 1955) and modern medical care, more than 90% of taipan envenomations were fatal.