Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
Domain- eukarya
This is the broadest of the
classification system. Eukarya is characterized by having
membrane bound organelles and genetic information storage in the
nucleus.
Kingdom- Animalia
Members of the Animalia kingdom all
lack cell walls like plants. All animals are motile
sometime in their lifespan and all are heterotrophic and digest
their food in an internal chamber.
Phylum- Chordata
Organisms classified as being part of
the phylum Chordata at some time in their life exibit a
notochord and a hollow nerve chord. They have a complete
2-opening digestive system and are triplobalstic (have three
germ layers). They also all have a closed circulatory
system with a ventral heart.
Subphylum- Vertebrata
The subphylum vertebrata is
characterized by the presence of a backbone, a brain case, and
an internal skeleton. Their muscles are attached to this
internal skeleton and have a 2-4 chambered heart that pumps
blood containing components such as plasma, red, and white blood
cells. Offspring are usually produce via two separate
sexes.
Class- Reptile
The class reptile is classified as
air-breathing and ectothermic. They have skin covered in
scales and are tetrapods meaning that they either have of had
four limbs at one point in their ancestry. They are also
classified by a 3-4 chambered heart.
Order- Squamata
The order sqaumata are characterized
as the largest order of reptiles including the snakes and
lizards having scaly skin and quadrate bones that allow their
mouths to open very widely.
Suborder- Serpents
The suborder serpente is
characterized as having cylindrical shaped bodies and lacking of
any limbs. They are carnivores and some have evolved a
pair of fangs capable of injecting venom.
Family- Elapidae
The Elapidae’s are a family of
venomous snakes that are both marine and terrestrial. The
terrestrial elapids can be characterized by their round pupils
and a head that is covered with large shields. Also they possess
a pair of hollow, fixed fangs through which they envenomate.
Genus- Oxyuranus
Oxyuranus is
characterized as being large, fast, and highly venomous.
They can grow anywhere from 6-12 feet.
Species- microlepidotus
Located in central Australia. The coloration on the Inland Taipan can come in different shades depending on the season. In the warmer months the Taipan can be a lighter shade of brown and in winter it can be black as to absorb the most amount of heat from the sun.