Common Name:

Black Mamba

Hunting:

No

Location:

Mhlosinga and Surrounding Areas

Description:

Black mambas are snakes eight to ten feet in length. They are not actually black but more of an olive to a gray color. The 'black' part of the name comes from the color of the inside of the snake's mouth, which is a purple black color. Their belly color is normally gray or light green. Black mambas are native to Africa. Black Mambas are noted for their speed and agility. No doubt, they are one of the fastest snakes; they are not the largest. The largest venomous snake is King Cobra and the most venomous is a species of Sea Krait. They are closely related to the more tree-dwelling Green Mamba, which is just as deadly. Both types of mamas are rear-fanged. Rear-fanged snakes cannot fold their fangs back like rattlesnakes and others. The fangs are fixed much like those of a Coral Snake; however, the Black Mamba's fangs are located in the rear of the mouth not the front. BLACK MAMBA

Images:

Info:

The fastest land snake in the world is the aggressive black mamba found in the southern part of tropical Africa. You might have heard stories about this snake overtaking people on galloping horses but although these snakes are fast, they aren't that fast. They can reach top speeds of 10-12 mph (16-19 km/h) in short bursts over level ground - good luck trying to outrun one of these snakes if you tick it off! The black mamba is much more terrestrial than the other three species of mamba, but it readily takes to the trees in search of prey and to bask or seek shelter. Despite its name, black mambas aren't black. They're gray. The name comes from the color of the inside of their mouth - something all of them will gladly show you while they threaten you, if provoked. They can grow up to 14 feet (4.3 meters) long, another reason why this reptile isn't something to mess with. The snake races along with its head held high and about one-third of its body off the ground. That can be up to four feet (1.2 meters) off the ground - about chin level for some people. The black mamba is the most respected and feared snake in Africa.

They are aggressive snakes that spring up to strike so when someone gets bitten, it's usually on the head. Black mambas also go after birds - and they're good at it. One mamba even had a parrot inside its stomach. After biting their prey, black mambas leave it to die. The venom is strong enough to kill prey in a matter of minutes so the snakes don't have to wait long for their meal. Before actually attacking when it feels threatened it will first give a threatening display by lunging at the attacker with gaping jaws, showing off the black/purple coloring of the inside of the mouth. If this attempt to ward of the harasser does not work it will then resort to attempting to bite the attacker. Multiple bites are inflicted quickly. The bite of the black mamba is deadly and will kill a human around 4 hours after receiving the bite. The venom is neurotoxic and cardiotoxic. If not treated the symptoms are but not limited to: the tightening of the chest muscles, blurred vision, mental confusion, and an overall feeling of great discomfort. Biting and the threat display will only occur if the snake is not able to escape. An example of this would be a snake caught in someone's house with the owner trying to remove it with a broom. Before antivenin was available the bite of a Black Mamba was always fatal.

Range:

Dendroaspis polylepis has a very widespread range in Africa, in which it hails from Somalia, Ethio

Habitat:

Black mambas can be found generally in Eastern Africa, from southern Ethiopia to southwest Africa. They prefer the open areas and will settle in spots such as savannahs, rocky areas and open woodlands. They will settle down in the same spot nightly and tend to be diurnal or day hunters. They like to occupy empty termite mounds, rocky crevices, burrows and hollow trees. Read more: http://snakes.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_black_mamba#ixzz0FciXdgRB&B

Diet:

Its a diurnal predator and hunts both on ground and in trees. It takes all sorts of animals from rats to insects and everything in between.

Size:

Male: Up to 14 ft (4.3 m)
Female: Up to 14 ft (4.3 m)

Incubation:

Around 90 days

Sexual Maturity:

Male: Unknown
Female: Unknown

Life Span:

There is not much information about the lifespan of snakes in the wild. The longest recorded lifespan of a captive mamba was 11 years, but actual lifespans could be much greater.

Status:

Not Listed

Source:

Submitted by:

Mhlosinga