Snake Atlas
Explore the world of snakes through their living family tree, from broad families to individual species. Select a branch to reveal more detail, then choose a species to view its name, image, and source record.
Snake Taxonomy Galaxy
A living map of the taxonomy: Snakes at the center, families spreading outward, and species drifting into view as the network opens.
Snakes Families Representative genera Selected genus species
Select a family, genus, or species to inspect its branch.
If a bite happens
- Move away from the snake and keep calm.
- Call local emergency services immediately.
- Keep the person and the affected limb as still as possible.
- Do not cut the wound, suck out venom, or apply a tourniquet.
A 20-year global estimate
The World Health Organization estimates that 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes worldwide each year. If that annual estimate stayed constant, approximately 108 million bites would occur over 20 years.
This is a population-level estimate, not a count for the selected species. The WHO also estimates 1.8 to 2.7 million envenomings and 81,410 to 137,880 deaths each year.
Read the signs
Pain, swelling, puncture marks, bruising, weakness, nausea, or trouble breathing can all be warning signs. Symptoms may change over time, so medical evaluation is important even when the bite looks small.
This website is educational and is not a substitute for emergency care. Never try to catch or handle the snake. If someone has been bitten, contact emergency services or a poison center now.