10 fastest snakes in the world including king cobra, cottonmouth viper, black mamba and more
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jan 13, 2025, 11.35 AM IST
Snakes are among the most fascinating reptiles in the animal kingdom, known for their striking appearance, venomous power, and unique hunting techniques. While much attention is given to their lethal venom and defensive strategies, their speed and agility are often overlooked. These traits are equally crucial to their survival. Snakes rely on speed to hunt effectively, whether ambushing prey or chasing down smaller animals. Their agility also plays a vital role in evading predators, allowing them to quickly escape danger or strike with precision when needed. No encounter with snakes is ever a pleasurable one. Even for the snake lover, the truth is still deadly, terrifying, and unsettling. They may appear harmless in your imagination or viral videos online, but the truth is far more deadly. However, many underestimate the speed and agility that snakes depend on for hunting and avoiding predators. Some of the fastest snakes in the world have evolved adaptations that allow them to navigate swiftly across diverse landscapes, from deserts to forests.
From the sidewinding movement of the Sidewinder to the swift slithering of the Black Mamba, snakes have evolved specialized locomotion techniques suited to their environments. Their impressive speed not only aids in hunting and self-defense but also highlights the diverse adaptations that make them one of nature's most efficient predators. Thus, speed is just as integral to a snake’s survival as its venomous bite.
World’s fastest snakes
The sidewinder, or horned rattlesnake, is the fastest snake, moving at speeds of up to 18 mph (29 kph). Native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico, it's built for survival in loose, sandy soils. The sidewinder's peculiar way of moving helps it to "sidewind" across the sand, lifting portions of its body off the ground and creating S-shaped curves to minimize friction. The speed enables the sidewinder to rapidly flee predators and ambush small mammals, lizards, and birds. This sidewinder's venom is also potent enough to cause significant tissue damage, so it is as swift a predator as it is an efficient defender.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the black mamba is among the fastest land snakes and deadliest. They reach up to 12 mph (19 kph), which they use in hunting and getting away from predators. The black mamba, known for its long, snake-like body and venomous fang, is an agile killer that feeds on small mammals and birds. Its neurotoxins are so toxic that death can occur in only a few hours, without treatment. Nominally shy, it becomes aggressive if threatened, and its speed makes it a very dangerous opponent.
The eastern brown snake, found in Australia, is another highly venomous species that moves rapidly. This lean, light-brown snake is able to achieve speeds of 12 mph (19 kph) and pursues its prey, which includes small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Its venom is composed of neurotoxins and coagulants, which can lead to very fast and severe symptoms, making it one of the deadliest snakes in the world. It is an aggressive snake when threatened, but it would rather avoid human contact and only strike if cornered.
The world's longest venomous snake is the king cobra, measuring up to 18 feet long and reaching a speed of 12 mph (19 kph). A resident of Southeast Asia and India, it is at the top of its food chain, feeding almost exclusively on other snakes. King cobra venom is neurotoxic and causes respiratory failure in the event that it goes untreated. Although it can run fast when necessary, the king cobra is more likely to rely on its venom and size to dominate prey and defend itself.
Commonly known as the water moccasin, the cottonmouth viper is native to the Southeastern United States, typically in or near water. This semi-aquatic snake is a strong swimmer and can attain speeds of about 7 mph (11 kph) on both land and water. Its venom is not deadly to humans but causes extreme tissue damage, so this aggressive species must be avoided. This reptile is normally seen basking on logs or rocks near the water and utilizing their speed to chase fish, amphibians, and small mammals.
The Texas rat snake is a non-venomous species that can move at a speed of up to 6 mph (10 kph) while hunting for prey such as rodents, birds, and eggs. They are found in Texas and neighboring states, and they are excellent climbers; they often use their speed to navigate through trees and buildings in search of food. They are very instrumental in controlling the rodent populations, and these snakes are nontoxic and harmless to man despite their impressive speed.
Coaches are elongated, skinny snakes that rapidly move across many parts of south United States and Mexico and in Central America, with a marked braided look, whip-like, and a coachwhip can accelerate into 4mph or 6kph. This speed, plus its exceptional sharp eyesight, makes it a ferocious predator for small mammals, lizards, and birds. While non-venomous, the coachwhip is also very protective of itself and will strike repeatedly if provoked. Its fast pace also helps evade predators. Its speed is also good for escaping from danger.
The southern black racer is a snake in the Southeastern United States, which is a very agile and fast-moving snake. It moves at a speed of 4 mph (6 kph). Its sleek black body helps it to blend well with its surroundings, thus making it evade predators and hunt different small prey. These also are great climbing and swimming animals, with an excellent response of quick reflex, making them excellent predators. Although it does not threaten humans at any level, this snake can get intimidating when their strikes happen that fast.
Another snake that is akin to the southern black racer and is another super fast snake able to go 4 miles per hour in speed. The Western United States native, this species inhabits the open fields, grasslands, and shrublands. The yellow-bellied racer is small in size; it hunts birds and mammals based on its velocity and agility and, like relatives, relies upon quick movements for evasion of dangers. It is non-venomous, avoiding human interaction.
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) – 4 mph (6 kph)
The boomslang, native to sub-Saharan Africa, is a tree-living snake that resides in trees most of the time. It's not the speediest snake on land, but it moves at the top of the tree at 4 mph (6 kph). Its good vision and agility allow the boomslang to hunt birds, eggs, and small mammals. It is highly venomous, with hemotoxic venom that disrupts blood clotting. However, the boomslang is generally shy and avoids humans, only striking when provoked.
Also Read | Watch | Florida influencer's calm reaction to venomous snake bite sparks controversy on wildlife content creation
From the sidewinding movement of the Sidewinder to the swift slithering of the Black Mamba, snakes have evolved specialized locomotion techniques suited to their environments. Their impressive speed not only aids in hunting and self-defense but also highlights the diverse adaptations that make them one of nature's most efficient predators. Thus, speed is just as integral to a snake’s survival as its venomous bite.
List of fastest snakes in the world
World’s fastest snakes
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) – 18 mph (29 kph)
The sidewinder, or horned rattlesnake, is the fastest snake, moving at speeds of up to 18 mph (29 kph). Native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico, it's built for survival in loose, sandy soils. The sidewinder's peculiar way of moving helps it to "sidewind" across the sand, lifting portions of its body off the ground and creating S-shaped curves to minimize friction. The speed enables the sidewinder to rapidly flee predators and ambush small mammals, lizards, and birds. This sidewinder's venom is also potent enough to cause significant tissue damage, so it is as swift a predator as it is an efficient defender.
Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) – 12 mph (19 kph)
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the black mamba is among the fastest land snakes and deadliest. They reach up to 12 mph (19 kph), which they use in hunting and getting away from predators. The black mamba, known for its long, snake-like body and venomous fang, is an agile killer that feeds on small mammals and birds. Its neurotoxins are so toxic that death can occur in only a few hours, without treatment. Nominally shy, it becomes aggressive if threatened, and its speed makes it a very dangerous opponent.
Eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) – 12 mph (19 kph)
The eastern brown snake, found in Australia, is another highly venomous species that moves rapidly. This lean, light-brown snake is able to achieve speeds of 12 mph (19 kph) and pursues its prey, which includes small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Its venom is composed of neurotoxins and coagulants, which can lead to very fast and severe symptoms, making it one of the deadliest snakes in the world. It is an aggressive snake when threatened, but it would rather avoid human contact and only strike if cornered.
King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) – 12 mph (19 kph)
The world's longest venomous snake is the king cobra, measuring up to 18 feet long and reaching a speed of 12 mph (19 kph). A resident of Southeast Asia and India, it is at the top of its food chain, feeding almost exclusively on other snakes. King cobra venom is neurotoxic and causes respiratory failure in the event that it goes untreated. Although it can run fast when necessary, the king cobra is more likely to rely on its venom and size to dominate prey and defend itself.
Cottonmouth viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) – 7 mph (11 kph)
Commonly known as the water moccasin, the cottonmouth viper is native to the Southeastern United States, typically in or near water. This semi-aquatic snake is a strong swimmer and can attain speeds of about 7 mph (11 kph) on both land and water. Its venom is not deadly to humans but causes extreme tissue damage, so this aggressive species must be avoided. This reptile is normally seen basking on logs or rocks near the water and utilizing their speed to chase fish, amphibians, and small mammals.
Texas rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri) – 6 mph (10 kph)
The Texas rat snake is a non-venomous species that can move at a speed of up to 6 mph (10 kph) while hunting for prey such as rodents, birds, and eggs. They are found in Texas and neighboring states, and they are excellent climbers; they often use their speed to navigate through trees and buildings in search of food. They are very instrumental in controlling the rodent populations, and these snakes are nontoxic and harmless to man despite their impressive speed.
Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) 4 mph or 6 kph
Coaches are elongated, skinny snakes that rapidly move across many parts of south United States and Mexico and in Central America, with a marked braided look, whip-like, and a coachwhip can accelerate into 4mph or 6kph. This speed, plus its exceptional sharp eyesight, makes it a ferocious predator for small mammals, lizards, and birds. While non-venomous, the coachwhip is also very protective of itself and will strike repeatedly if provoked. Its fast pace also helps evade predators. Its speed is also good for escaping from danger.
Southern black racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) – 4 mph (6 kph)
The southern black racer is a snake in the Southeastern United States, which is a very agile and fast-moving snake. It moves at a speed of 4 mph (6 kph). Its sleek black body helps it to blend well with its surroundings, thus making it evade predators and hunt different small prey. These also are great climbing and swimming animals, with an excellent response of quick reflex, making them excellent predators. Although it does not threaten humans at any level, this snake can get intimidating when their strikes happen that fast.
Western yellow-bellied racer (Coluber constrictor mormon) – 4 mph (6 kph)
Another snake that is akin to the southern black racer and is another super fast snake able to go 4 miles per hour in speed. The Western United States native, this species inhabits the open fields, grasslands, and shrublands. The yellow-bellied racer is small in size; it hunts birds and mammals based on its velocity and agility and, like relatives, relies upon quick movements for evasion of dangers. It is non-venomous, avoiding human interaction.
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) – 4 mph (6 kph)
The boomslang, native to sub-Saharan Africa, is a tree-living snake that resides in trees most of the time. It's not the speediest snake on land, but it moves at the top of the tree at 4 mph (6 kph). Its good vision and agility allow the boomslang to hunt birds, eggs, and small mammals. It is highly venomous, with hemotoxic venom that disrupts blood clotting. However, the boomslang is generally shy and avoids humans, only striking when provoked.
Also Read | Watch | Florida influencer's calm reaction to venomous snake bite sparks controversy on wildlife content creation