The Black Mamba is one of Africa’s most dangerous snakes and a popular tattoo choice for realistic-style snake body art.
The Black Mamba is one of the few snakes that doesn’t fear humans, plus it can live on the ground or in trees. These factors, plus its size (two to three meters as an adult) and potent venom make stories of the reptile part folklore and part horror story.
The serpent’s association with late Hall of Fame basketballer Kobe Bryant – whose nickname was the Black Mamba – is another reason why it’s a popular tattoo subject.
Bryant died in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna and seven others on January 26, 2020. His passing prompted a range of tattoos paying homage to the LA Lakers legend, often involving his personal logo entwined with a black mamba snake motif.
The following top 29 black mamba tattoo ideas showcase different iterations of the snake along with Kobe Bryant-inspired tattoo art that you can apply to your next piece.
1. Animal Realism Black Mamba Tattoo Ideas
Source: @birol_dincer_tattoo via Instagram
Source: @mastershark_hontattoo via Instagram
Source: @queen.of.arts.tattoo via Instagram
Source: @tattoosbythomgreen via Instagram
Source: @fabiantats via Instagram
2. Black Mamba Arm Tattoos
Source: @eretattoo via Instagram
Source: @lucacortetattoo via Instagram
Source: @oneeyepete via Instagram
Source: @babsie_tatts via Instagram
3. Cool and Innovative Black Mamba Tattoos
Source: @tattoorock_ via Instagram
Source: @emotional_ink via Instagram
Source: @renrobot.art via Instagram
Source: @southgatetattoo via Instagram
Source: @johnhansentattoo via Instagram
Source: @p_sanguijuela via Instagram
4. Black Mamba Kobe Bryant Tattoos
Source: @jinglumtattoo via Instagram
Source: @sebatattoonyc via Instagram
Source: @d_minusofficial via Instagram
Source: @apztattoo via Instagram
Source: @its_allart.and_bs via Instagram
Source: @artofspencer via Instagram
Source: @wilwang_tatt via Instagram
5. Black Mamba Leg Tattoo Designs
Source: @theredhawkshaman via Instagram
Source: @dobroslavkostov via Instagram
Source: @potatoo.tattoo via Instagram
6. Neo-Traditional Black Mamba Tattoo Ideas
Source: @apu_arts via Instagram
Source: @jrocktattoos via Instagram
Source: @landsharktattoo via Instagram
Source: @mikenomy via Instagram
Source: @romanordtattoo via Instagram