The mere mention of snakes is enough to induce fear in some people. These reptiles have gained a notorious reputation, and although it is justified to an extent, majority of the times, it is because there is not enough awareness amongst the general population as to which of the species are dangerous, and which are harmless and sometimes, even helpful. Yes, some species of snakes can be really helpful to people, since they feed on rats and mice, thus keeping their population in check. Also, most snake species are non-aggressive unless provoked, so they prefer to slither away rather than attack/bite people. There are non-venomous snakes as well, which do little harm to us. Nevertheless, there are hundreds of snakes which are killed by people every month, usually when they are spotted around houses. Many of us cannot tell a venomous species from a non-venomous one, so the treatment given to snakes is more of ' venomous until proven otherwise', which unfortunately means the end for many of these harmless creatures. That said, there are of course, some snake species which are deadly venomous. Their bites can prove to be fatal for humans and other species. As per statistics, approximately 1 - 2 million snakebite cases are reported every year, of which 50,000 - 100,000 result in fatalities. Getting to know some of the more venomous and aggressive species will help to some extent. This article lists some of the more aggressive species of snakes, which are best left alone. A bite from them can be potentially fatal, if not treated in time. Which are these species? We'll get to that, but first let us clear the air about "aggressive" snakes... There is a difference between aggressive snakes and dangerous/venomous snakes. Not all dangerous/venomous snakes are aggressive, and not all aggressive snakes are as dangerous/venomous as some others. These terms cannot be used interchangeably. When we say aggressive snakes, we mean those which have less or zero tolerance for provocation. When we say aggressive snakes, we do not imply that these species will come after you for no reason and attack/bite. But there has to be provocation or the fear of being threatened, in most cases. Maybe they feel cornered, maybe they are disturbed after they have just had a meal, maybe they were stepped on by mistake or maybe they were intentionally provoked. But there is going to be a reason for a snake attacking someone. The natural response of most snakes when confronted is to retreat, and some may simply hold their ground. But very, very few species have a reputation for advancing. * Disclaimer : The snakes listed below (exception being black mamba, which can, at times, attack without provocation) will usually not attack unless provoked. Hence, the use of the term 'aggressive' is based on the assumption that their patience has been tested. Identifying the world's most aggressive snake is quite challenging, as the criteria for classifications are so many. In simpler terms, not all fierce snakes are dangerous, while all venomous snakes are not so aggressive. Also, the severity of snakebites is based on the age and overall health of the person (not to overlook the size and age of the snake). Thus, several factors are taken into consideration. The above snakes are considered to be some of the most aggressive in the world, but getting down to specifics, let's take a look at aggressive snakes in every continent. It is always a good idea to have some knowledge about the snakes found in the area that you are living in. You can refer to the 'danger quotient' assigned in numerical values to identify the most venomous snake types of a particular area. This will not only help you be informed about these species, but also help you make quick and informed decisions in case of a bite.