Inland taipan Wombey argued that "Parademansia microlepidotus" belongs to a distinct genus, and this was also the opinion of Harold Cogger. Covacevich, McDowell, Tanner & Mengden (1981) successfully argued, by comparing anatomical features, chromosomes and behaviour of the two species then known as "Oxyuranus scutellatus" (taipan) and "Parademansia microlepidota", that they belonged in a single genus. "Oxyuranus" (1923), the more senior name, was adopted for the combined genus. "Oxyuranus microlepidotus" has been the fierce snake's binomial name since the early 1980s. The generic name, "Oxyuranus", means "oxus" (Greek) "sharp pointed", "oura" (Greek) "tail"; "-anus" (Latin) "belonging to", and refers to the inland
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