Gorilla vs. Snake: Who Would Win in a Fight?

Quick Take

• Snakes kill tens of thousands of people every year, yet their deadliest weapon may be completely useless against a gorilla. See how venom fares →
• Even the world's heaviest snake, which is capable of crushing large prey, faces a surprising problem when up against a gorilla. Compare their sizes →
• A gorilla's most underrated weapon isn't its famous strength, and that weapon could be the deciding factor in this fight. Explore the gorilla's bite →
• There's one narrow scenario in which a snake actually has a shot at winning, and that scenario hinges entirely on timing. See the snake's one chance →

Snakes are limbless reptiles (suborder Serpentes) with over 3,400 to nearly 4,000 recognized species worldwide, approximately 600 of which are venomous. They are highly adaptable predators found globally on every continent except Antarctica. Gorillas, which share approximately 98% of their DNA with humans, are the world’s largest living primates. They are known for their immense strength and intelligence. There are two distinct species of gorillas, the Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and the Eastern Gorilla (G. beringei), found in the tropical rainforests of equatorial Africa. Size, speed, bite force, defenses, and offenses are the five metrics that will be used to determine who would win a one-on-one match between a gorilla and an average snake. Continue reading to discover which one of these animals will reign supreme.

Gorilla vs. Snake: Size

Gorillas are very large animals, weighing over 400 pounds and standing about five feet tall.

The vast majority of snakes are approximately three feet long and weigh about 20 pounds. Of course, much larger snakes exist, such as the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), which is widely considered the world’s heaviest snake and can weigh between 300 and 500 pounds. Even so, an anaconda would likely have difficulty overpowering a gorilla.

Size Advantage: Gorilla

Gorilla vs. Snake: Speed and Movement

The average speed of a snake over land is about one to three miles per hour (mph). Gorillas can run up to 25 mph, in short bursts, using a method called knuckle-walking. In terms of speed, the gorilla has an enormous advantage.

Speed Advantage: Gorilla  

Gorilla vs. Snake: Bite Force

Gorillas have a deadly bite force of 1,300 pounds per square inch (PSI). That’s strong enough to break bones and leave devastating puncture wounds.

Snakes do not have strong biting power, but their real danger lies in what’s inside their mouths. Some snakes can inject their prey with deadly venom that results in organ failure and death. Snakebites cause an estimated 81,000 to 138,000 human deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization. To have a chance against a gorilla, a snake would have to rely on injecting enough potent venom quickly enough to overpower the opponent. However, this is unlikely in our scenario, since the majority of snake species are non-venomous.

Bite Force Advantage: Gorilla   

Gorilla vs. Snake: Defenses

A snake’s best defenses are its ability to hide in small spaces and its bright colors, which can warn potential predators that it is venomous (or mimic venomous species). However, snakes are still preyed upon by a wide range of animals. Gorillas are very large and swift creatures, willing to bluff charge and use a terrifying threat display to tell other creatures to stay away, often successfully.

Defensive Advantage: Gorilla

Gorilla vs. Snake: Offenses

Snakes can kill in two ways: venom and constriction. Both are very deadly forms of attack. A large constrictor snake can take down large prey, and venom can do the same, often killing creatures ten times bigger than the snake.

Gorillas kill with sheer power, ripping and tearing their enemies apart or killing them with deep, powerful bites. Gorillas attack with incredible ferocity, lashing out against threats regardless of what they might be. The strength of a gorilla cannot be overstated, especially in combination with its superior intellect.

Offensive Advantage: Gorilla

Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Gorilla and a Snake?

A gorilla would win a fight against a snake in the vast majority of cases. If a constrictor snake smaller than about 10 feet long attacked a gorilla, the gorilla would likely bite it to death or tear it apart.

f a gorilla were bitten by a venomous snake, it would most likely attack and kill the snake before succumbing to the venom.

Even in the case of a large anaconda, a gorilla is so powerful that it would probably crush the anaconda’s skull and end the threat before the anaconda could completely wrap around it. Gorillas are fast and ferocious in combat, making it difficult for a snake to take them by surprise or launch a successful attack.