Science

Photographer Captures Black Mamba Biting Him on Camera…But Doesn‘t Notice ’Til Next Day!

Nature photographer Mark Laita will have an exhibition in Germany this February and will be releasing his next book on a project he calls Serpentine later this year. Laita knew the dangers of photographing poisonous snakes in 2010 and 2011 but didn’t even notice when he became a victim of a snake bite himself — and he captured it on film.

Mark Laita Bitten by Black Mamba to Exhibit Works and Publish Book in 2012

Mark Laita was bitten by a black mamba. (Photo: Mark Laita via New Scientist)

Laita is lucky to be alive as he was bitten by a black mamba, which is 100 percent fatal. New Scientist reports that Laita received a dry bite where no venom was injected. A doctor at the University of California, San Diego, states in this first aid guide to black mamba bites that dry bites are rare. According to New Scientist, Laita said it happened so fast that he didn’t even see the snake on his leg until he looked at his photographs the next day.

According to National Geographic, the black mamba is the longest poisonous snake in Africa and has a reputation as the world’s deadliest snake. National Geographic reports that the snake usually kills its prey within 20 minutes, and New Scientist points out that in 2006 it even took down an elephant.

New Scientist reports that Laita photographs the snakes in zoos, serpentariums, anti-venom labs and private collections, and that he thinks it’s worth the risk.

Mark Laita Bitten by Black Mamba to Exhibit Works and Publish Book in 2012

Emerald Boa with Babies (Photo: Mark Laita)

 

Mark Laita Bitten by Black Mamba to Exhibit Works and Publish Book in 2012

Blue Malaysian Coral Snake (Photo: Mark Laita)

Mark Laita Bitten by Black Mamba to Exhibit Works and Publish Book in 2012

Green Vine Snake (Photo: Mark Laita)

Mark Laita Bitten by Black Mamba to Exhibit Works and Publish Book in 2012

Albino Black Ball Python (Photo: Mark Laita)

View more of Laita’s snake photographs here or check out his other projects, which include flowers and sea creatures, here.

This article has been updated since its original posting to correct a typo in the photo caption of Laita being bitten by the black mamba. 

Comments (93)

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  • Gumbercules
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:13am

    “Laita is lucky to be alive as he was bitten by a black mamba, which is 100 percent fatal.”

    Me thinks there is something wrong with this statement. . .

    Report Post » Gumbercules  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:35am

      He‘s lucky he wasn’t Bill’s brother Bud. 3 to the face…. ouch!

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Enuff Zenuff
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:21am

      “Laita received a dry bite where no venom was injected”

      Report Post » Enuff Zenuff  
    • rlimike
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 6:42am

      Well maybe 99.9999999999% fatal ?

      Report Post » rlimike  
    • lillymckim
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 7:41am

      Beautiful pictures!

      Report Post » lillymckim  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:07am

      It’s only 100% fatal if untreated. But if you were near a hospital they could hook you to life support let the toxin work through you system and you’ld be fine in a couple days. The mamba has a Neurotoxins which shuts down the body. But doesn’t actually damage the tissue.
      Necrotoxins and hemmotoxins cause far worse secondary damages internal bleeds,and rot.

      Report Post »  
    • hbrenkman
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 9:42am

      You are right. I am from South Africa (native country for these snakes) and they are NOT 100% fatal. Maybe 100% if not treated.

      This guy must have no feeling in his legs.

      Report Post »  
    • Jinglebob
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 9:59am

      The snake must have just been milked or this guy just used up eight of his lives.

      Report Post » Jinglebob  
    • hud
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:17am

      Statement is overkill, I saw a show on NG where a man was bitten 5 miles from help, and due to his cool head got to help and survived. Largely fatal would have sufficed.

      Report Post »  
    • LukeAppling
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:44am

      You are correct the statement is no longer true it should be “almost 100% fatal”.

      Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:58am

      This picture shows a snake stick near the mans legs and under the snake itself! What happened here? Looks like the snake got away from the handler instead of a random snake attack.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • vic138
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 11:08am

      60% of the time, it works 100% of the time. Or something like that…

      Report Post » vic138  
    • leftisneverright
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:29pm

      LOL! Look at the description of the actual photo. It says he was bitten by a “black mama”.

      Report Post »  
    • hud
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:53pm

      I finally figured this out, it was a real old mamba with dementia, and it forgot to shoot the juice.

      Report Post »  
  • Gumbercules
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:13am

    “Laita is lucky to be alive as he was bitten by a black mamba, which is 100 percent fatal.”

    Me thinks there is something wrong w/ this statement. . .

    Report Post » Gumbercules  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:47am

      “Laita said it happened so fast that he didn’t even see the snake on his leg until he looked at his photographs the next day.”

      And I have bridge that emits carbon dioxide that you purchase or trade carbon credits for….

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • NOT A CRAZY
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:47pm

    I agree.

    Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
  • irishman
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:42pm

    His collection isn’t complete without a photo of Obama.

    Report Post »  
  • Thisstinks
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:02pm

    @Onesimus, No, Vine snakes are rear fanged and not toxic to humans. Google Bamboo Viper, Green Tree Viper.
    @Heavywx, That is arguable they were not able to make antivenin for the Black Mamba until Elephants were tried the venom killed the other hosts. All others use horses as hosts.
    @Bankerpapaw, I have been bitten twice by Rattle snakes, a juvenile Northern Pacific (Crotalus Viridis Oreganus) and an adult Western Diamond Back (Crotalus Atrox) The Atrox bite was painful, but not as much as the treatment. I hardly noticed the juvenile Oreganus bite. Pit viper fangs are retractable and much larger then fixed fang snakes like the Black Mamba (Dendroaspis Polylepis) there bite is like taking two syrenges plunged into you at the same time, you would feel that. The Mamba fangs are shorter then the juvenile Oreganus fangs and I doubt I would feel them in my circulation deprived lower legs. He is blessed to have survived.

    Take care.

    Report Post »  
  • SquirrelNYC
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:01pm

    Oh my! This guy was tremendously lucky, given the high mortality rate from black mamba bites. It’s an elegant snake, and I think the fastest, but deadly. The photographer must have had an angel sitting on his shoulder that day. I just want to know how such a deadly snake got that close to him in the first place. This one even made Steve Irwin sweat bullets lol!

    That being said, his pictures are gorgeous. Snakes are truly elegant and beautiful, not slimy and evil. The ones with the emerald tree boa and babies and the curled up ball python are rather adorable!

    Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:36pm

    I haaaate snakes. :|

    Report Post »  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:58am

      I’ve found, that instead of using a little, metal pole to fend off snakes, a loaded shotgun works much much better.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • texasoysterman
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 9:15am

      @TXPILOT Lol!

      I was thinking along the same lines. Growing up in the Texas hill country (Williamson county-Beaukiss area) during the unenlightened 70s, the only good venomous snake was a dead venomous snake. We had lots of diamondbacks, copperheads and water moccasins. We killed them without exception, mostly because Mom was worried about my brother and sister ,who were pre-teens at the time. I suppose it was not very effective since there were always plenty of them around esp. moccasins and copperheads. We sat on the edge of our big tank with our .22s watching for moccasins and turtles. This was for target practice as well a ridding the ranch of pests.
      Not very PC these days to kill snakes. Been in the city last 30 years, so I guess my snake-killing days are behind me.

      Report Post » texasoysterman  
  • Heb4Seven
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:25pm

    Last week I discovered a large bruise on my leg…have no idea how, when or where i got it…(and no I wasn’t drinking)…So, I think it is possible that he didn’t notice while in the heat of the battle of trying to get it under control…However, I would have liked to see a picture of the wound…because I can’t see it clearly biting him.

    Report Post »  
  • PJL
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:23pm

    Snakes…Why did it have to be snacks?

    Report Post » PJL  
  • Starkadder
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:22pm

    So it isnt possible this was staged for free publicity of his images?

    Report Post » Starkadder  
  • Capt. Ron
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:05pm

    I think it’s fake.

    Report Post » Capt. Ron  
  • heavywx
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:58pm

    I love how people go on about the Mamba being the most venomous snake, when it isn’t. The most venomous land snake is the Inland Taipan, and the most venomous sea snake is the Belcher’s sea snake. Just saying

    But ole boy is one lucky mofo that’s for sure.

    Report Post » heavywx  
    • RiseLiberty
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 9:13am

      The article didn’t say the most venomous snake, it said, the world’s deadliest snake.

      Report Post »  
  • Rodster
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:35pm

    OK I call bulls### !

    He took the photograph looking at the snake biting his leg and didn’t notice it until the following day? To quote Judy Tenuta….“It could happen” !

    Report Post »  
  • Publius
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:30pm

    IMHO, the only good snake is a dead snake, that includes Obama.

    Report Post »  
  • mikee1
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:45pm

    You can search it. This type of snake is the most venomous in the world, or right up there with the King Cobra. If this clown were really bitten, HE WOULD BE DEAD NOW. NG is an old liberal photo rag. No circulation any longer. Made up story to try to sell some copies to the private sector, and not rely on GOV. BUYS UNDER THE STIMULUS, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR MUCH OF THE INCOME OF LIBERAL PUBLISHERS FROM FICTION TO MAGAZINES. It is your tax dollars that are buying up all the stuff in your thousands of public libraries.

    Report Post » mikee1  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:29pm

      I have been to South Africa where these snakes are common,,Fact is, most people bitten do survive..Its reputation as worlds deadliest snake is more legend than truth…These snakes inhabit the branches of the bush country,feeding on birds and small rodents,,, And would rather avoid you than bite you…i worried more about cobras.

      Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:09pm

      He was taking video and it is well known that venomous creatures can control the amount of venom that they release. This man is lucky, that is all there is to it. Had he been bit by a adolescent snake, the outcome would be far different as they lack the coordination to bite while controlling venom. Take your ignorance elsewhere.

      Report Post » SgtB  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:35pm

    Now convince me that a snake bit you on the leg and you didn’t notice. Har, har, har.

    Report Post »  
  • gothope
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:31pm

    I am sick and tired of these mother &&*(^ing snakes on the blaze

    Report Post »  
  • flatbroke
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:56pm

    I dont hate snakes, but i dont really like them. snakes belong out in the woods, or jungle, or where ever they come from and eating mice and bugs.

    Report Post » flatbroke  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:56pm

    I’m sorry, it made my stomach clench just looking at the pictures. The guy is nuts, but “to each their own, said the old lady as she kissed her cow.”

    Report Post »  
  • Mrs. Bowers
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:54pm

    Now that was a true miracle.

    Report Post »  
  • swiftouch
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:50pm

    “Laita said it happened so fast that he didn’t even see the snake on his leg until he looked at his photographs the next day.”

    Someone is trying to sell something with a complete over the top hokey story. I wouldn’t be surprised if the picture is heavily photoshopped.

    Report Post »  
    • ohiowordguy
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:37pm

      Huh?

      As someone who uses Photoshop on a daily basis, that would be an extraordinarily difficult image to fake. In particular, study the way the snake is wrapped around the photographer’s left leg. That would be nearly impossible to fudge and maintain the continuity of the entire image.

      You wanna see something that is “photoshopped?” Take a look at the glaringly obvious forgery that BHO says is his birth certificate. I knew it was a fake within 10 minutes of its release.

      Report Post »  
    • 66 bronco
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:58pm

      @OHIOWORDGUY

      I agree 100% the big O’s birth certificate looked totally faked. Honestly I figured with his resources they would have done a better job then that but with the press he gets…. he didn’t have to make it look real!

      Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:39pm

    Creeps me out. I hate snakes.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • piper60
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:51pm

    This photographer is destined for finer things by God. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been a dry bite.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • Onesimus
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:49pm

    Is that Green Vine Snake the same one they called the “two step” in VietNam?

    Report Post » Onesimus  
  • Chuck Stein
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:43pm

    “Mark Laita was bitten by a black mama. (Photo: Mark Laita via New Scientist)” I see some trouble on the near horizon.

    Report Post »  
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