There are nearly 4,000 known species of snakes globally, but only a small number pose a significant threat to humans. Approximately 725 species are venomous, with about 250 of these capable of delivering bites potentially fatal to people. Fatalities from non-venomous snakes are rare, typically involving large constrictors like captive pythons, and account for only one or two deaths annually.
The question of which snake is the deadliest depends on the criteria used. In terms of the number of human fatalities, the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is considered the most dangerous. This species is found in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent and is responsible for thousands of deaths each year. Its small size, aggressive behavior, and proximity to human settlements contribute to its high body count.
Conversely, the most venomous snake by toxicity is the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) from central Australia. Its venom is so potent that a single bite contains enough toxin to kill more than 100 adult humans. Despite this, the inland taipan is rarely involved in human fatalities, living in remote areas and displaying a shy temperament. There are no confirmed recorded deaths from its bite. According to the World Health Organization, snakebites poison an estimated 2.7 million people worldwide annually, with fatalities ranging from 81,000 to 138,000 each year.
Regarding petrol pricing, the common practice of ending prices in .9p dates back nearly a century to the United States during the 1930s when petrol was priced in cents per gallon. At the time, fractions of a cent helped distinguish retailers by price. Today, the final .9p in petrol prices serves two main purposes. Practically, it reflects the sheer volume of fuel sold, where a tenth of a penny per litre can amount to thousands of pounds over millions of litres. Psychologically, consumers tend to focus on the number before the decimal point, so a price ending in .9p, such as 149.9p per litre, appears cheaper than a flat 150p, even though the difference is only a fraction of a penny.
Modern petrol pumps calculate the exact cost and then round the amount to the nearest penny at payment, which explains why final bills often do not end with .9p. The fractional penny is accounted for in the calculation but disappears in the rounding process. Some retailers, including Asda, deviate from the norm and use different endings, such as .7p for their petrol prices.
Finally, the term “wisdom teeth” refers to the third molars that typically emerge between ages 17 and 25, a period traditionally associated with maturity. The name derives from the Latin dentes sapientiae, meaning “teeth of wisdom,” which itself is a translation from the Ancient Greek term for “prudent” or “self-controlled teeth.” These molars were more essential to early humans who had diets of tougher, more abrasive food. As human diets changed and jaw sizes decreased, many people no longer have enough room for these teeth, resulting in common issues like impaction or removal.