There are some pretty freaky battles that happen in the wild, which make you question why the animals are fighting in the first place. Whether it’s over territory, food, or simply not liking each other, animals fight for many different reasons. This video by Latest Sightings on YouTube shows one of these fights happening between a black mamba and a crocodile. While it looks a bit one-sided, it is still intriguing to understand why this occurs. Keep reading below to learn why this battle happens.
Black Mamba in Chobe Park.
©iStock.com/ROBERT STYPPA
What’s Going On?
In the video, a black mamba is attempting to cross some shallow waters before being ambushed by a crocodile. Black mambas are some of the quickest and most venomous snakes of Africa, making them a major threat to most animals. While this is the case, the crocodile does not seem too worried. While the black mamba successfully outmaneuvers the crocodile, it runs into muddier terrain, which makes it harder to escape. The crocodile takes advantage of this, sprinting into the water and clamping the snake between its jaws. A venomous bite is a black mamba’s main defense; however, the crocodile’s tough skin is difficult for the snake’s fangs to penetrate, and crocodiles may also have some physiological resistance to snake venom, leaving the snake at a disadvantage.
Both crocodiles and black mambas are incredibly fast. A crocodile can swim up to 18 miles per hour and can sprint briefly on land at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. In comparison, a black mamba can slither on land at speeds up to 12 miles per hour. While the black mamba is slower, its slithery, hard-to-grab body provides a great means of escape from various predators. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case in the video. Crocodiles are apex predators that sometimes eat venomous snakes. Their strong stomach acids help neutralize harmful substances, and research suggests they may have some resistance to snake venom, likely due to physiological factors in addition to their tough skin. This highlights the strength of crocodiles in the wild as some of the fiercest predators.
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