Coastal taipan venomous snake in Australia. Adult specimens of this species typically attain sexual maturity around in total length (including tail). More mature specimens can grow to between . Other taipans, including the inland taipan, attain broadly similar sizes although they tend to be slightly smaller in average size. A specimen of an average total length weighs around . According to the Queensland Museum, the longest recorded total length for the coastal taipan was a specimen that was and weighed . However, though exceptionally rare, much larger specimens are widely believed to exist, including specimens of as much as . The taipan
Inland taipan taipan is dark tan, ranging from a rich, dark hue to a brownish light-green, depending on season. Its back, sides and tail may be different shades of brown and grey, with many scales having a wide blackish edge. These dark-marked scales occur in diagonal rows so that the marks align to form broken chevrons of variable length that are inclined backward and downward. The lowermost lateral scales often have an anterior yellow edge. The dorsal scales are smooth and without keels. The round-snouted head and neck are usually noticeably darker than the body (glossy black in winter, dark brown in