Snakes, lacking limbs, exhibit a remarkable range of movement capabilities. Their speed varies considerably depending on numerous factors, a topic often subject to exaggeration. Understanding their navigation reveals sophisticated adaptations.
What Influences Snake Speed
A snake’s speed is a complex outcome of biological and environmental factors. Body size and muscle structure play a significant role, with longer, more muscular snakes often capable of greater speeds. Physiological state, including body temperature, also impacts performance.
The environment heavily influences snake speed. Open, flat terrain with adequate grip allows faster movement than dense vegetation, rocky areas, or smooth surfaces. The movement’s purpose, whether hunting, escaping, or seeking shelter, dictates the urgency and maximum burst of speed.
How Snakes Move
Snakes utilize several distinct methods of locomotion, each suited to different terrains and situations.
Serpentine Locomotion (Lateral Undulation)
This is the most common method. The snake creates a series of S-shaped curves, pushing against environmental objects like rocks or ground irregularities to propel itself forward. This technique is effective on various surfaces, including water.
Rectilinear Locomotion
Often used by large, heavy-bodied snakes like boas and pythons, this involves the snake moving in a straight line. It lifts sections of its belly scales and pulls its body forward, similar to a caterpillar.
Concertina Locomotion
Employed in narrow spaces or for climbing, the snake bunches its body into curves to anchor itself. It then extends the front part of its body forward, repeating the process.
Sidewinding
This specialized movement is typically seen in desert snakes. It allows them to move across loose sand by lifting parts of their body and creating S-shaped tracks at an angle to their direction of travel, minimizing contact with the hot surface.
Speed Records Among Snakes
Some snakes are surprisingly fast, while many are quite slow. The sidewinder rattlesnake, found in deserts, can reach speeds of up to 18 miles per hour (29 km/h) using its unique sidewinding motion. The black mamba, native to eastern Africa, is recognized as one of the fastest land snakes, capable of 10 to 12 miles per hour (16-19 km/h) in short bursts over suitable terrain. Other fast snakes include the Southern black racer (up to 10 mph / 16.1 km/h) and the Eastern brown snake (12 mph / 19 km/h).
In contrast, many snakes move much slower. Large constrictors like the Burmese python typically move around 1 mile per hour. The rosy boa is also considered one of the slowest, moving about 1 mile per hour on open ground. The Brahminy blindsnake, a tiny burrowing species, is among the slowest due to its small size and subterranean lifestyle. Even the fastest snakes maintain top speeds only for short durations.
Debunking Speed Myths
Common perceptions about snake speed are often exaggerated, leading to persistent myths. One widespread misconception is that snakes, particularly the black mamba, can outrun a human over significant distances. While a black mamba can achieve bursts of 10-12 miles per hour, faster than an average human’s running speed, it cannot sustain this pace. An average human can run at about 6-8 miles per hour, and an athletic human can outpace even the fastest snake over extended distances.
The perception of extreme speed often stems from a snake’s sudden, darting movements, especially when startled or striking. A snake’s strike, a rapid lunge to bite, can be incredibly fast, with some species striking at speeds difficult for the human eye to track. However, this strike speed differs from their overall travel speed. Fear associated with snakes can also distort perceptions of their movement.