Video: Australian Man Catches Black Mamba Barehanded
OutdoorHub Reporters 07.19.16
Australian adventurer and animal wrangler Andrew Ucles has never been one to shy away from danger, and some of his previous feats—such as wrestling a wild deer—can be called quite insane. However, in a recent trip to Africa, Ucles decided to up the ante by catching one of the most notorious snakes in the world with just a stick and his bare hands.
We’re talking about the infamous black mamba.
Black mambas are feared across their native range for their incredibly potent venom and aggressive behavior. The species is widely regarded as the most dangerous snake in Africa, and for good reason. Black mamba venom has been documented to kill mice in as little as 5 minutes, and cause human victims to collapse in 45 minutes. Unless treated with powerful antivenin therapy, those bitten by a black mamba will experience pain and numbness around the bite area, trouble breathing and profuse salivation, and finally death within 7 to 15 hours.
The black mamba may not be the most venomous snake in the world—an honor that arguably goes to the inland taipan—but it has rightly earned its dreaded reputation.
Which is why Ucles decides to tackle the longest black mamba he can find.