When it comes to the speed of a snake’s strike, the black mamba is widely considered to be the fastest striking snake in the world. The black mamba can strike with incredible speed, reaching speeds up to 12.5 meters per second.
What is the black mamba?
The black mamba is a highly venomous snake found in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It gets its name from the black color inside its mouth. Despite the name, its skin color ranges from gray to dark brown. An adult black mamba can grow up to 14 feet long, making it one of the longest venomous snakes in Africa.
Characteristics of the black mamba:
- Scientific name: Dendroaspis polylepis
- Average length: 2.5 meters (8.2 feet)
- Maximum length: 4.3 meters (14 feet)
- Color: Gray to dark brown
- Native habitat: Sub-Saharan Africa
- Diet: Birds, rodents, amphibians, other snakes
The black mamba is known for being aggressive when threatened. It will raise the front part of its body off the ground, open its mouth to expose its black interior, and spread its narrow neck-flap (or hood). This aggressive display is a warning sign before it strikes.
How fast is the black mamba’s strike?
When it comes to snake strike speeds, the black mamba is unmatched. It holds the record for the fastest strike among all venomous snakes:
- Average strike speed: 7 meters per second (23 feet per second)
- Maximum strike speed: 12.5 meters per second (41 feet per second)
To put this into perspective, the black mamba can strike with enough speed to cover up to 13 feet in the blink of an eye. Their lightning-fast strikes are key to catching and subduing their preferred prey of birds and small mammals.
Factors contributing to the black mamba’s rapid strikes:
- Lean muscle mass – Black mambas have lean, powerful muscles that allow them to propel themselves forward at high velocities.
- Rapid muscle contraction – Their muscles are able to contract and relax rapidly to produce their explosive strikes.
- Elongated body – Their long, slender bodies reduce drag and enable greater acceleration.
- Efficiency of motion – From poised position to full extension, their motions are very efficient for striking quickly.
How does the black mamba’s speed compare to other snakes?
The black mamba’s top recorded speed of 12.5 m/s is extremely fast compared to other snake species:
| Snake | Maximum Strike Speed |
|---|---|
| Black mamba | 12.5 m/s |
| Western diamondback rattlesnake | 6.7 m/s |
| Indian cobra | 2.4 m/s |
As the table shows, the black mamba’s top speed is almost double the strike speed of a rattlesnake and over 5 times faster than an Indian cobra. The black mamba is unmatched in speed among venomous snake species.
Other contenders for fastest striking snake:
While the black mamba is widely regarded as #1, some other snakes can strike with impressive speeds as well:
- Eastern brown snake – Average 4.5 m/s, up to 7 m/s max
- Mulga snake – Average 6 m/s, max unknown
- Taipan – Average 6.5 m/s, max unknown
However, none of these other fast snakes have conclusively exceeded the black mamba’s top measured speed. The black mamba remains the undisputed quickest striker in the snake world.
Conclusion
With an average strike speed of 7 meters per second and top speed of around 12.5 m/s, the black mamba is widely accepted as the fastest striking snake. Its rapid acceleration and deadly precision help make it a fearsome predator. When threatened, the black mamba can strike with enough speed to reach a target over 3 meters away in the blink of an eye. Its combination of speed, venom potency, size, and aggressive reputation cements the black mamba’s status as one of the world’s deadliest snakes.