Deadly serpents lurk across every corner of the globe.

Snakes have fascinated and terrified humans for centuries, and for good reason. Among the thousands of species slithering across the planet, a small group carries venom, size, or behavior that sets them apart as truly fear-inducing. Some of these snakes can kill an adult human in less than an hour, while others intimidate through sheer size and stealth. What makes them even more unnerving is how widely spread they are, from remote rainforests and tropical islands to backyards in suburban neighborhoods. Scientists continue to track their ranges and venom potency, revealing how these reptiles adapt to changing climates and habitats in ways that often bring them closer to people than ever before.