Comparing a King Cobra and a Black Mamba
| King Cobra | Black Mamba | |
| Size | Weight: 10 to 15 pounds
Length: 10 to 13 feet, up to 18 feet |
Weight: 3.5 to 4.5 pounds
Length: 6 to 9.5 feet, up to 14 feet. |
| Speed | Can reach 5 mph over short distances by slithering. | Can slither about 7 to 12 mph. |
| Defenses | – Size
– Threat display to scare off other animals – Some resistance to other snake venoms – Ability to hide within its range |
– Threat display
– Not afraid to defend itself in a fight – Speed to escape situations |
| Offensive Capabilities | – Can jumper back in position that can make their head stand at least several feet of the ground
– Venom with a very high yield of approximately 1.28 mg/kg as LD50. – Lower palatal fangs about half an inch in length – Inject 400 to 500 mg of venom per bite |
– May also pull itself into a striking position with part of its body raised at least some feet off the ground
– Extremely toxic venom with range of LD50 being less than 0.5 mg per kilogram. – Known to bite and sting with venom output for each sting. |
| Predatory Behavior | Long area that mobs and kills other snakes for food | Other small snakes may be killed at times by ambush predators |
What Do You Know About the King Cobra That You Don’t Know About Black Mamba?
It is clear that the black mamba is more mobile than the king cobra. A typical king cobra, on the other hand, may reach speeds of up to 5 miles per hour while the black mamba shall cover a distance of not less than seven to twelve miles per hour, and at most twenty. Moreover, the black mamba can be credited for having far superior venom, or at the very least, superior venom potency.
King cobra venom lethality comes with an LD 50 approximately 1.28 mg/kg. While the black mamba’s venomous strength is equal to the LD50 of between 0.25 and 0.32 mg/kg. Both features will influence the nature of the conflict between the two species in a big way.
Fight Between A King Cobra And A Black Mamba: What Are The Significant Factors
Of course, when comparing both king cobra and black mamba in this case, the main determinative criteria are going to include issue of size, fighting capability, speed, defenses and propensity to hunt. So, through the deep analysis of each of the elements outlined above we will identify which snake will emerge as the winner.
King Cobra vs. Black Mamba: Size
The king cobra is much heavier and longer than that of the black mamba. King cobras can weigh anywhere between 10 and 15 Ib and the black mambas weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 Ib. Also, the king cobra is possible to reach length of 10-13 feet, while in some cases 18 feet. The black mamba on the other hand grows between 6 and 9.5 feet on average but they can grow up to maximum of 14 feet.
King Cobra vs. Black Mamba: Speed
This snake is regarded as one of the world’s fastest Snakes. While moving they can slither at speeds ranging from 7 to 12 mph although other sources have put this figure at 20 mph for short distances. While the action, the king cobra only operates at speeds of 5 mph, and that too is over brief distances.
The black mamba is also faster.
King Cobra vs. Black Mamba: Defenses
To some extent, the king cobra and black mamba are somewhat similar in the manner they defend themselves. As a response to provocation, both snakes will perform a threatened behavior. The Black mambas spread their jaws and use their tongue while they hiss. Being an arboreal snake, the Ang Tree or Black mambas employs a usual S-shape of an aggressor while striking.
On the other hand, the king cobras try to pull their body to look erect and also make themselves ready to pounce on any prey. They will spread wide the hood and hiss while doing so as is apparently apparent in some of the pictures. This defensive posture is also an attacking one. It enables them stand over other animals, encroaching to attack or run away from as a sign of danger. When other snakes flee.
King cobras use their body sizes to deal with other animals including the other snakes. They also cannot tolerate some of the snakes’ venom to an acceptable level. Black mambas, thus, avoid getting in harm’s way despite moving faster than other snakes. Both snakes are inactive most of the times and only come out hunting.
The king cobra has a large body and when it spreads it displays a wideange that can scare off many small animals.
King Cobra vs. Black Mamba: Offensive Capabilities
The king cobra is the longest living snake in the wild that is capable of delivering venom to its prey. They have great offensive capabilities in terms of the way they tend to tower over their favored prey: other snakes.King cobra has one of the most potent venom with LD50 = 1.28 mg/kg and an average yield of about 420 gm per bite.
It is a rather large snake and it is also very fast moving, their venom is in fact one of the strongest. As far as ineffectiveness is concerned, they virtually never, or at any rate very seldom indeed provide dry bites. Their venom exhibits an L.D. 50 ranging between 0.25 and 0.32 mg/kg. They are capable of injecting more the 100 mg of venom during an assault. Despite having relatively smaller length than the king cobra the venom they produce is much more potent.
The venoms of the king cobra are potent than that of the black mamba and thus enjoys the benefits for this reason.
King Cobra vs. Black Mamba: Predatory Behavior
Like king cobras, black mambas are also ambush predators. But while the king cobra preys on other snakes. This species has a scientific name Ophiophagus hanna. The first name is originated from the Greek background and it is interpreted as “snake eating.” Though black mambas occasionally prey on other snakes, they prefer eating small mammals and occasionally consume bird.
In your opinion which of the two, the king cobra or the black mamba, is more dangerous to humans?
King cobra is a better fighter than black mamba in fight because of its size and being specialized as a snake eater to strike a lethal bite. If both snakes had no escape route the king cobra would not be named so for nothing would it loose. The two snakes would stare at each other. The black mamba would realize it has no place else to turn to and would start charging at the intruder. When he was feeding the king cobra would approach the smaller snake, gradually coming closer before almost tackling the smaller snake and biting it on the head of the mamba.
Of course, the black mamba is faster and has more potent venom even in comparison to the king cobra’s venom even if measured in drops. But then again, king cobra is also among the most venomous snakes, and the venom it delivers is equally lethal is large volume.
The fact is that king cobra has weak immunity to some snake venom, however it is apprehended that immunity is only for snakes, which are in their zone. The case is not the same even with this move as it cannot protect one from the sting of a black mamba or many of the world’s most dangerous snakes including its own. However, king cobras are observed to always end up killing the smaller cobras even if the prey manages to bite them.
Hence if king cobras fight other venomous snakes and successful handle them due to size, posture, speed, and venom, then it should be fairly certain they would kill just a black mamba. However, that doesn’t only mean that the king cobra gets the better of the situation in every instance too. A king cobra can kill a black mamba and then die from the venom.
Learn about the ‘Monster’ Snake – Five Times Bigger Than an Anaconda
You can sign up to our free newsletter on this website and every day Petz Advice delivers some of the most amazing facts on the planet. Would you like to know the ten most beautiful snakes in the world or the island in which you are never more than three feet away from a snake? How about a five times larger anaconda? So please subscribe here right now and you’ll begin receiving our daily newsletter for free.
