Huge Male Lion is Shown That Size or Power Can’t Protect You From the Venom of a Black Mamba

Written by Hannah Crawford
Updated: November 10, 2023
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When we think of a powerful animal in the wild, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps you think of animals such as leopards, cheetahs, or even hippos. However, we are almost certain lions came to mind as well. It’s easy for us to imagine the king of the jungle as completely indestructible. However, as we can see from this video below, they are very much just flesh and blood and can be taken down just like any other animal in the wild. 

Watch the Terrifying Video Below!

Lion Sighting in Africa

Lion walking in Jungle of Gir National Park & Wildlife

Lions can reach up to 50 miles per hour.

©ibrandcare/iStock via Getty Images

The Tik Tok video above takes us to Africa, where we witness something shocking happening. This video was filmed by Paul Botting and was shared on the Epic Nature Escapes YouTube page. This channel shares their passion for what they do below. 

“From lush forests to serene oceans, our channel is your gateway to escaping the ordinary and discovering the extraordinary. Join us as we explore the untouched beauty of wildlife, unveil hidden wonders, and share the magic of nature’s embrace.”

The Deadly Embrace of Black Mamba Venom

At the start of this video, we sadly see this adult male lion fall to one side, and we see his body convulse in such an intense way. Before this interaction, this lion was bitten by the black mamba, which is one of the most deadly snakes in Africa. The videographer Paul Botting shares a short description of what he saw below.

“This lion experienced a sudden and unexpected seizure. And then collapsed, trembling and struggling for breath. It’s truly difficult to witness such a magnificent creature in such a vulnerable state.” 

How Dangerous Is the Black Mamba? 

Black Mamba interior of mouth Dendroaspis_polylepis_striking

The black mamba can reach up to 20 miles per hour.

©Tad Arensmeier, CC BY-SA 3.0 – License

As we can see from the video below, the bite from a black mamba sadly ended in this lion’s death. However, not before he had great seizures, and as we are sure, a lot of pain before his death. So, we know just from this alone, that black mambas are very dangerous. After all, if something like this can kill the king of the jungle, how much more dangerous would it be to us as humans?

The black mamba (D. polylepis) of the genus Dendroaspis can be solely found located in Africa. This snake is typically between 6-9.5 feet in length. However, there are reports to say that they have reached 14 feet on occasion. But, they aren’t known for their length. They are known most commonly for their lethal venom. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, “Dendroaspis polylepis (black mamba) is one of the most dangerous snakes worldwide. Without medical treatment, mamba bites are frequently fatal.” It is said that just two bites are all it takes to kill an adult human. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Mahir Rustemov/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Hannah Crawford is a writer at A-Z Animals where she focuses on reptiles, mammals, and locations in Africa. Hannah has been researching and writing about animals and various countries for over eight years. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication\Performance Studies from Pensacola Christian College, which she earned in 2015. Hannah is a resident in Florida, and enjoys theatre, poetry, and growing her fish tank.

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