Black mamba vs King cobra
Black mamba vs king cobra
King cobra is larger on weight
King cobra is 3.8× black mamba on weight.
A black mamba and a king cobra can be compared on 3 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.
Side by side
| Black mamba | King cobra | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1–3.1 kg | 4–12.7 kg |
| Length | 2–4.3 m | 3–5.85 m |
| Typical lifespan | 10–20 yr | 17–22 yr |
What the numbers say
- King cobra is 3.8× black mamba on weight.
- King cobra is somewhat greater than black mamba on length — about 1.5×.
- King cobra is 1.8× black mamba on typical lifespan.
Weight compared.
King cobra 4–12.7 kg
Black mamba 1–3.1 kg
Black mamba
The fastest snake and Africa's longest venomous one; it is named for the black inside of its mouth, not its colour.
King cobra
The longest venomous snake, delivering enough neurotoxin in one bite to kill an elephant.
This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.
Common questions
- Which is bigger, black mamba or king cobra?
- King cobra is 3.8× black mamba on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
- How do black mambas and king cobras compare on length?
- Black mamba: 2–4.3 m. King cobra: 3–5.85 m. King cobra is somewhat greater than black mamba on length — about 1.5×.
- How do black mambas and king cobras compare on typical lifespan?
- Black mamba: 10–20 yr. King cobra: 17–22 yr. King cobra is 1.8× black mamba on typical lifespan.
Related pages
Sources
- Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution