Taxonomy
Domain: Eukarya
The Inland Taipan is placed into the Eukarya, because it has membrane-bound organelles. Also within their nuclear envelope you will also find a nucleus. Interestingly, the toxic mushroom Galerina autumnalis and Garlic are also classified in the Eukarya.
Kingdom: Animalia
Characteristics that place the Inland Taipan in the Animalia include: its motility, multi-cellularity, absence of cell walls, heterotrophy meaning it obtains energy by means of ingesting food, and lastly the members of the Animalia experience the gametic life cycle. Other organisms such as the Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus, the Goliath Tigerfish, and the Eastern Grey Squirrel join the Inland taipan in the Animalia.
Phylum: Chordata
Individuals that are classified in the Chordata exhibit at some point in their life cycle, a notochord (skeletal rod), nerve chord, pharyngeal pouches (gill slits), post-anal tail, as well as an endostyle (thyroid gland). Also they are found to have an endoskeleton, exhibit bi-lateral symmetry, a complete digestive tract, and true segmentation. Check out the Emu, the Red Wolf, and the Roosevelt Elk as they are all part of the Chordata!
Class: Reptilia
The Inland Taipan fits in the class Reptilia, because they have keratinized scales, respiration by lungs, but not all members of the Reptilia exhibit respiration by the lungs, as can also breathe through their skin and cloacas. This class is known to be the first group to fully breakaway from the water, because they able to lay amniotic eggs. The Beaked Sea Snake, also known as the most poisonous snake in the world is also part of the Reptilia.
Order: Squamata
The order Squamata translates to mean scaled reptiles. Animals found in the Squamata tend to have features which include: horny scales, and a quadrate bone, which enables the snake to expand their mouth large enough for their prey.
Family: Elapidae
The inland taipan is part of this family, because it has hollowed fangs, which are used to inject venom. The Eastern Brown Snakeand the Tiger Snake both join this family, because they also have this feature.
Genus: Oxyuranus
Oxyuranus translate to , which receive this name, because they are extremely venomous, have quick speed, and all primarily reside in Australia. Within this genus are three distinct species, which include: Oxyuranus scutellatus, Oxyuranus temporalis, and Oxyuranus microlepidotus.
Species: Oxyuranus microlepidotus
The genus name ‘Oxyuranus’ is a Greek words, breaking down into "oxis" meaning sharp and "oura" meaning tail. The species name ‘microlepidotus’ is Greek for "micros" meaning small and "lepis" meaning scale. By putting it all together it translates to small-scaled sharp tail. They are only found where the border of South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory intersect. Check out where they live on the Habitat page!