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Taipans
Oxyuranus - Kinghorn, 1923

Pronunciation: OX-ee-your-AH-nuss
Etymology: 'pointy tail'.

Taxonomic notes:

The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) was previous the sole member of the genus Parademansia.

Notes:
Statistics: Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 3 out of 3 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: western desert taipan (Oxyuranus temporalis) at 152 cm
 Longest Australian species: coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) at up to 300 cm
Number of Australian species: 3
 

inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
Windorah, Queensland
Photo © David Fischer
inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) distribution range map Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Inland taipan
Year described
(McCoy 1879)
Description

coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus)
Cooktown, Queensland
Photo © Brendan Schembri
coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) distribution range map Oxyuranus scutellatus
Coastal taipan
Year described
(Peters 1867)
Description

western desert taipan (Oxyuranus temporalis)
Great Victoria Desert, Western Australia
Photo © Jordan Vos
western desert taipan (Oxyuranus temporalis) distribution range map Oxyuranus temporalis
Western desert taipan
Year described
Doughty, Maryan, Donnellan & Hutchinson 2007
Description
Distinct neck region. Head rectangular, with broadly rounded snout. Smooth scales. Angular brow ridge. Large, dorsally arched rostral scale.1 Light pale brown with diffuse darker markings. Head is paler than rest of body.1 Feint orange spots on anterior ventral surface.2 Pale mouth lining.1 Has just a single primary temporal scale.1

References
  1. Doughty, Paul; Maryan, Brad; Donnellan, Stephen C.; & Hutchinson, Mark N. (2007). A new species of taipan (Elapidae: Oxyuranus) from central Australia.. Zootaxa, 1422:. - search web for this article
  2. Brennan, K.E.C.; Morley, T.; Hutchinson, M.; & Donnellan, S. (2012). Redescription of the western desert taipan, Oxyuranus temporalis (Serpentes: Elapidae), with notes on its distribution, diet and genetic variation. Australian Journal of Zoology, 59(4):227-235. - search web for this article
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