Mutant Death Adder with Three Fangs Discovered in Australia

A highly venomous death adder in Australia has shocked experts after being discovered with an extremely rare genetic mutation: three fully functioning fangs.

Most Venomous Land Snakes

The unusual feature was spotted at the Australian Reptile Park in New South Wales during a routine venom milking program.

Death adders, already among the most venomous land snakes in Australia, typically have two fangs, which they use to deliver deadly bites to prey. However, this particular snake was found with an extra fang, potentially making it even more dangerous.

A Rare Discovery

Billy Collett, a park manager, said the snake has been part of their venom extraction program for about seven years, but the third fang was only recently noticed.

“I thought it would just shed off over time, but one year later, and it’s still there,” Collett told Live Science. “This is very rare. I have never seen a functioning third fang like that.”

When milking the snake’s venom, park staff were stunned to see the toxin being released from both fangs on the left side of its mouth.

The extra fang also seems to allow the reptile to produce “massive yields” of venom, potentially making it even deadlier than a typical two-fanged death adder.

What Caused the Mutation?

The exact cause of the mutation remains unknown. According to the Australian Reptile Park, this is the first known case of a three-fanged death adder.

While other snakes in Australia have been found with extra fangs, this discovery is unprecedented for this particular species.

Unfortunately, the park currently lacks the facilities to conduct genetic testing to determine the reason for the mutation.

However, despite the potential dangers of this snake, experts say its high venom yield is actually beneficial—its venom is used in the production of life-saving antivenom.

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