Mamba vs. Mamba in a Mating Season Showdown

Black Mamba snakes are scary for their quick speed and deadly venom. Have you ever wondered if they’re ever aggressive towards each other? Check out this video by Latest Sightings to see two black mambas fighting.

Do Black Mambas Fight Each Other?

As we know, black mambas can be aggressive towards humans when they are in fear, but what about aggression towards other black mambas? Black mambas are not known for being territorial; more often, they flee from aggressors for safety rather than confront them. Because of this, it is believed that black mambas, more specifically males, are aggressive towards each other, particularly during mating seasons. Due to competition for female black mambas, males will fight to prove themselves to the females. However, black mamba males do not typically fight to the death, but rather until one submits. So why are they wrapping around each other in the video?

The behavior in the video is what is called “plaiting.” Plaiting is when the black mambas continuously wrap around each other, shoving each other around until one gives up. By wrapping around each other, the stronger black mamba comes out on top. Why don’t they just bite each other? Black mambas are immune to their own venom, meaning that while biting may be a painful attack, the venom won’t give an advantage in the fight. Black mambas have a high resistance to their own venom, so while biting may be painful, the venom is unlikely to be fatal or give a significant advantage in the fight.