One of the most feared snakes in the world, not only because of its potent venom but also due to the speed at which it can move and its highly defensive nature when cornered. Contrary to the common perception that these snakes are black, they actually have a range of skin colors from dark brown to olive and sometimes even metallic grey. The name ‘Black Mamba’ is indeed derived from the dark, inky black coloration of the inside of its mouth, which is displayed as a warning during defensive postures.
Found in diverse habitats across South and East Africa, including savannas, rocky terrains, and within forested regions, the black mamba is highly adaptable and can be quite elusive. It is renowned for being one of the fastest snakes, capable of speeds of up to 20 km/h (12 mph), which it uses both to escape threats and to catch prey.
As the longest venomous snake in Africa, adult black mambas can reach lengths of up to 4.5 meters (14 feet), though the average size is about 2.5 meters (8.2 feet). Their diet primarily consists of birds and small mammals, which they hunt using a combination of speed and venomous bites.
The venom of the black mamba is extremely toxic and is a combination of neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. When a black mamba bites, it often strikes repeatedly, delivering a large volume of venom that can be fatal if not treated promptly. The symptoms of envenomation can progress rapidly, leading to severe neurological and cardiovascular damage.
Despite their notoriety, black mambas are not naturally aggressive towards humans and prefer to avoid confrontation. Most attacks occur when they are threatened or accidentally disturbed. Nevertheless, their venom potency and quick reaction time make them very dangerous.
Distribution
Angola
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Djibouti
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
