Black Mamba fight for a female mate: Why the snakes don't bite in the deadly battle for mating
Surprisingly, the snakes do not bite each other in these fights despite their lethal venom, which can kill a human in under 20 minutes. Instead, male black mambas wrestle in a non-lethal show of strength. They rise, twist, and press against each other, trying to push the rival's head down in a ritual known as 'plaiting combat.' The loser backs off while the winner earns the chance to mate with a nearby female. This restrained, physical contest has fascinated scientists for years and reveals a complex, strategic side of these feared reptiles.
Black Mamba's combat ritual: A test of strength, not venom
Male black mambas engage in what is called "plaiting combat." This is a non-lethal form of wrestling where the snakes twist, wrap, and tangle around each other in a bid to establish dominance. The snakes rise off the ground, pressing against each other in a vertical battle, trying to force their rival's head downward in a show of strength. The goal of the contest is to physically dominate the opponent rather than injure or kill.
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Rather than using their venomous bite, which could end the fight swiftly but with potentially fatal consequences, the snakes follow a ritualised form of combat. The first to submit or retreat loses, and the winner gains access to the nearby female. This physical trial, based on stamina and control, allows both rivals to walk away alive, even if only one walks away victorious.
What is at stake for Black Mambas in the battle of strength
For male black mambas, these ritualistic wrestling matches are about more than just physical dominance.
They are in a fight for the right to mate. With a receptive female nearby, only the strongest and most persistent male earns the opportunity to reproduce. The stakes are high, but so is the risk of fatal injury if venom were used. That is why these snakes engage in controlled combat, where endurance, technique and sheer strength decide the victor.
The loser typically retreats without injury, preserving his life for future chances.
For the winner, the reward is not just mating rights but also the passing of one of his genes, which in nature is the ultimate success.
Venom is too valuable to waste
Venom is not something snakes produce endlessly or effortlessly. For the black mamba, venom is a carefully conserved and biologically expensive resource. It is primarily reserved for capturing prey and for self-defence in life-threatening situations. Using venom in a mating battle would be wasteful and risky, particularly when there is no prey to consume and the goal is to impress a potential mate, not to kill a rival.
This strategic conservation of venom demonstrates how evolution has shaped their behaviour. By relying on physical strength and avoiding venom use in these contests, black mambas reduce the risk of death and conserve their venom for when it is truly needed. This increases their chances of surviving future threats and securing food.
Immunity within the species
Another fascinating factor is that black mambas have developed a mild resistance to their own species' venom.
Scientists have observed that snakes, particularly those that live in close proximity to others of their kind, often have partial immunity to each other's toxins. This is thought to be a result of evolved antibodies that can neutralise venom components to some degree.
However, this immunity is not foolproof. A high enough dose of venom could still cause severe harm or death. This partial resistance likely reduces the danger of accidental bites during social interactions such as mating or feeding, but it does not offer complete protection.
That is one more reason why the snakes avoid biting during combat—the risk still outweighs the reward.
A bruised ego, not a broken body
In contrast to many other species where mating fights can lead to serious injuries or death, black mamba confrontations tend to end with little physical damage. The loser may retreat exhausted and humbled, but he typically escapes without wounds. The winner earns the right to court the female, while the loser retains the chance to fight another day.
This approach not only preserves the species' population by reducing needless fatalities but also ensures a sustainable form of sexual competition. The avoidance of fatal conflict suggests a remarkable evolutionary strategy where survival and reproduction are balanced with minimal risk.
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