Are Snakes Faster Than Humans?

When most people see a snake, their first instinct is to run away. But if the snake were to chase after the person, could it outrun them?

Most snakes are much slower than humans. They may seem fast for short distances, but snakes aren’t adapted to move at high speeds over long distances.

One of the fastest snake species is the black mamba. It can reach speeds of up to 12 miles (19 km) per hour when moving at full speed.

However, this speed is still slower than the running speed of a fit, average human, which is 12 to 15 miles (19 to 24 km) per hour.

Trained athletes can run even faster.

For example, Usain Bolt reached speeds of 27 miles (44 km) per hour –  in 2009 at the World Championships in Berlin.

This is more than 2 times faster than the top speed of the black mamba.

How Fast Can Snakes Move?

Here’s a list of snakes and their estimated top speeds.  

Keep in mind that snake speeds are usually measured over short bursts and can vary based on terrain.

Snake Species	Top Speed
Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)	10–12 mph (16–19 km/h)
Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus)	8–10 mph (13–16 km/h)
Coachwhip Snake (Masticophis flagellum)	4–6 mph (6–10 km/h)
King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)	5–6 mph (8–9.6 km/h)
Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus)	2–3 mph (3–5 km/h)
Rattlesnake (e.g., Crotalus atrox)	2–4 mph (3–6 km/h)
Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)	1–2 mph (1.6–3.2 km/h)
Ball Python (Python regius)	Less than 1 mph (~1.6 km/h)
Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor)	Less than 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)	18 mph (29 km/h)  in short bursts

Some Snakes Can Move Faster Than Others

Some snake species are naturally faster than others.

Apart from species, the top speed of a snake can be affected by factors like body size, and the terrain the snake is moving through, among other things.

1. Species

Every snake species is highly adapted to its environment and lifestyle.

A snake’s speed is directly related to its survival strategy.

Some snakes (such as Racer snakes, whips snakes, and black mambas) have long, slender, and flexible bodies that enable them to move quickly across open ground.

These snakes typically live in open environments, where being fast is necessary to catch quick prey like lizards, birds, or rodents.

Their speed also helps them escape predators.

Other snakes, such as boas, pythons, and many vipers, live in forested environments where high speed isn’t practical.

For this reason, they evolved to hunt by staying hidden and ambushing unsuspecting prey.

These snakes have no practical reason to be fast movers on the ground.

Aquatic snakes (such as water snakes and sea snakes) are often very slow and clumsy on land. However, they can move rapidly in water.

Their survival strategy relies on efficient swimming instead of fast movement on the ground.

2. Body Size and Shape

How a snake’s body is built affects how it moves and how fast it can go.

Think of it like athletes – their bodies impact how well they perform.

For snakes, things like how long they are, how their muscles are arranged, and how heavy they are all matter for speed.

Generally, longer, muscular snakes can move faster. Their long bodies help them make more waves as they move on the ground. This pushes them forward efficiently, especially on flat ground.

On the other hand, heavier snakes like vipers and anacondas move slower. Their strong bodies are better for quick attacks and squeezing prey, not for moving fast.

They move in short, controlled movements and prefer to hide and wait for their prey to come close. Their size makes it hard to move quickly, especially on rough ground.

3. The Terrain the Snake Is Moving Through

The terrain a snake moves on can affect how fast it can go.

Unlike animals with legs, snakes use their bodies to grip the ground and move. So, the ground can either help them move faster or slow them down significantly.

On hard, flat ground, or surfaces like tile or pavement, snakes can move surprisingly fast. Their scales grip the surface, and their muscles help them move smoothly.

This is why snakes indoors can seem very fast – the floor makes it easy for them to move.

When the ground is bumpy, rocky, or has obstacles, snakes move more carefully.

Rocks and holes make them change their body position, which slows them down.

Some snakes are better at this and can lift parts of their body to get around things, but it’s still slower than on flat surfaces.

Also, loose sand is hard to move on, but some snakes have found ways to deal with it.

For example, sidewinder snakes move in a special way called “sidewinding” to avoid touching the hot sand too much.

In forests or areas with lots of plants, snakes have to weave and squeeze through things. This slows them down greatly.

They also can’t see as well, so they have to move slower and be sneaky.

In short words, how fast a snake moves depends on the ground it’s on. A snake might be fast on pavement but slow in the sand.

4. Why the Snake Is Moving

Snakes don’t just move fast for no reason. Like us humans, they have a purpose when they move.

When a snake is just relaxing in the sun or checking out its surroundings, it moves slowly and carefully. It feels safe and takes its time.

However, If a snake feels danger, like a person walking nearby or a bird flying overhead, it can suddenly move very fast. It’s trying to escape to safety.

This doesn’t last long, but it’s surprisingly quick!

Snakes also move fast to catch food. Some snakes hide and then strike, but others chase after their prey, like lizards or mice. They use quick bursts of speed to catch them.

Sometimes, a snake will stand its ground instead of running. If it feels trapped, it might coil up and get ready to strike. It’s not trying to be fast, but scary.

Snakes are smart creatures that don’t waste energy. If they don’t need to escape or hunt, they stay slow.

But when they need to, they can be surprisingly fast because they are motivated.

A Moderately Fit Person Can Sprint Faster Than Most Snakes

People run at different speeds. How fast you run depends on how fit you are, how old you are, and if you’ve been training.

But even if you’re not a fast runner, you can probably outrun a snake.

• Most adults jog around 4-6 miles per hour.
• A person who is in decent shape can sprint at 8-12 miles per hour for a short time.
• The fastest runners in the world can reach 20-28 miles per hour, but only for a few seconds.

Even the fastest snakes usually only move at 10-12 miles per hour, and they can’t keep that speed up for long.

You can usually outrun a snake if you’re in good shape.

A snake might be as fast as you for a short time, but unless you’re hurt or trapped, you can easily outrun the snake over a long distance.

Snakes Typically Don’t Chase Humans

Snakes are often seen as aggressive or dangerous creatures, but they mostly just want to survive. They usually avoid confrontation with humans.

When they move quickly, it’s almost always to get away from people, not to attack.

Some snakes, like the black mamba, are known for being fast and defensive. They might seem like they are attacking, but they are usually just trying to escape in a panic.

They don’t chase people to hurt them, but they will fight back if they feel threatened.

Most problems with snakes happen because people scare them, try to catch them, or get too close.

If you stay calm, give the snake space, and slowly walk away, the snake will usually leave.

The majority of venomous snake bites in the US happen when people have already seen a snake, but try to interact with it rather than just moving away.

If you see a snake, it probably wants to get away from you as much as you want to get away from it. They use their speed to escape, not to chase you.

Conclusion

Most snakes can’t move quickly for very long. They’re usually slower than humans especially when going far.

Some snakes can move fast for a short time, but they get tired quickly.

If you see a snake, don’t run! Stay calm, and back away slowly. Snakes usually won’t bother you if you don’t bother them.

Give them some space, and they’ll usually go away. It’s not about being faster than the snake. It’s about being smart.