The Secrets of Deadly Snake Bites

Snake bites happen in the blink of an eye. Some can strike light-footed rodent prey in a flash of scales and fangs that lasts only 60 milliseconds. Such rapid action, although potentially fatal, is mysterious simply because it defies close attention. Until now.

The researchers recorded the lightning speed of the snake bites with two high-speed cameras recording at 1,000 frames per second. Publish their findings in the Journal of Experimental BiologyAn international team of scientists has captured 36 species of venomous snakes biting fake prey made from ballistic gel. They used 3D coordinates to compare strike style and movement as measured by several variables, including speed, acceleration, contact angle, and opening angle, to name a few.

They found that snakes in the family Viperidae, called vipers, were capable of reaching higher maximum speeds than snakes in the family Elapidae, which includes the king cobra, black mamba and other species.

Researchers have also reported these horrible facts about snake bites. Elapids bite their victims repeatedly to inject as much venom as possible. And a member of the Colubridae family they recorded, a species native to sub-Saharan Africa called Fischer’s cat snake. (Toxicodryas pulverulenta), moved its jaws from side to side in order to tear a gash in its victim. This, of course, is to be able to deposit the maximum volume of venom into the wound.

Although researchers have helped generate unprecedented information about the interesting field of snakebites, they have probably done little to allay the fears of ophidiophobes.

Here is a viper bite:

And here is this bite from a Fischer’s cat snake:

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Main image: Marzufello / Shutterstock

• Bob Grant

  Published on October 24, 2025

  Bob Grant is the associate editor of Nautilus.