King Cobra vs. Black Mamba — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 5, 2023
King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake native to Southeast Asia, while Black Mamba is a highly venomous snake from Africa. Both are deadly.
Difference Between King Cobra and Black Mamba
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The King Cobra, predominantly found in Southeast Asia, holds the title as the world's longest venomous snake. It can reach lengths of up to 18 feet. On the other hand, the Black Mamba, native to parts of sub-Saharan Africa, is known for its incredible speed and potent venom, but is generally shorter in length than the King Cobra.
Distinguished by its hood, the King Cobra exhibits an intimidating presence when threatened. In contrast, the Black Mamba, while lacking a hood, is recognized by its coffin-shaped head and often dark mouth, which gives it its name, even though its body color varies from olive to gray.
Venom potency is a notable aspect of both the King Cobra and Black Mamba. While the King Cobra's venom isn't the most toxic among snakes, the volume it can deliver in one bite can be lethal. The Black Mamba, on the other hand, possesses one of the fastest-acting snake venoms in the world.
Both the King Cobra and Black Mamba have cultural significance in their respective regions. The King Cobra, often associated with myths and folklore in Southeast Asia, is respected and sometimes revered. Meanwhile, the Black Mamba is feared in Africa due to its aggressive nature when cornered and its deadly venom.
Comparison Chart
Geographic Origin
Southeast Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
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Physical Feature
Possesses a hood
Coffin-shaped head
Maximum Length
Up to 18 feet
Up to 14 feet
Venom
Not the most toxic, but delivers in large volume
One of the fastest-acting venoms
Speed
Relatively slower
One of the fastest snakes in the world
Compare with Definitions
King Cobra
King Cobra plays a significant role in Southeast Asian myths and folklore.
Villagers revered the King Cobra as a guardian of the forest.
Black Mamba
Black Mamba's venom is one of the fastest-acting snake venoms globally.
A Black Mamba's venom can cause paralysis in a short time.
King Cobra
The King Cobra's venom, while not the most toxic, can be lethal due to the volume delivered.
A single bite from a King Cobra can deliver a deadly dose of venom.
Black Mamba
Although aggressive when cornered, Black Mambas usually prefer to avoid human contact.
The farmer accidentally cornered a Black Mamba, prompting a rapid escape.
King Cobra
King Cobras primarily feed on other snakes, earning them their royal title.
The King Cobra's diet mainly consists of other serpents.
Black Mamba
The Black Mamba's name derives from the dark coloration inside its mouth.
Contrary to its name, the Black Mamba's body is not black, but its mouth is.
King Cobra
King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake.
The King Cobra can reach lengths that intimidate even larger animals.
Black Mamba
Known for its incredible speed, the Black Mamba is one of the world's fastest snakes.
Few can outrun a Black Mamba when it feels threatened.
King Cobra
Native to Southeast Asia, the King Cobra is recognized by its distinctive hood.
When threatened, the King Cobra expanded its hood to appear larger.
Black Mamba
Black Mamba is a highly venomous snake native to sub-Saharan Africa.
The Black Mamba's bite can be fatal without prompt treatment.
Common Curiosities
Which snake is longer between King Cobra and Black Mamba?
King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, typically longer than the Black Mamba.
Which one between King Cobra and Black Mamba has faster-acting venom?
The Black Mamba has one of the fastest-acting venoms in the world.
How does the Black Mamba get its name?
The Black Mamba's name comes from the dark coloration inside its mouth.
What regions are King Cobra and Black Mamba native to?
King Cobra is native to Southeast Asia, while Black Mamba is from sub-Saharan Africa.
Do both King Cobra and Black Mamba have a hood?
Only the King Cobra has a hood; the Black Mamba does not.
Is the King Cobra's venom the most toxic among snakes?
No, while King Cobra's venom is potent, it's not the most toxic.
What color is a Black Mamba?
The Black Mamba's body varies from olive to gray; it gets its name from the dark mouth.
Do King Cobras eat other snakes?
Yes, King Cobras primarily feed on other snakes.
What's the significance of King Cobra's hood?
The King Cobra uses its hood to appear larger and more intimidating when threatened.
How lethal is a Black Mamba's bite?
A bite from a Black Mamba can be fatal without prompt and appropriate medical treatment.
Are both King Cobra and Black Mamba aggressive?
Both can be aggressive when threatened, but the Black Mamba is particularly so when cornered.
Are King Cobras and Black Mambas endangered?
Both face threats from habitat loss and human conflict, but King Cobras are listed as vulnerable, while Black Mamba's conservation status is not well-documented.
Which snake is faster, King Cobra or Black Mamba?
The Black Mamba is one of the world's fastest snakes, faster than the King Cobra.
What's the primary diet of the Black Mamba?
Black Mambas primarily feed on small mammals and birds.
Can both King Cobra and Black Mamba climb trees?
Yes, both the King Cobra and Black Mamba can climb trees.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
