Interesting facts about black mambas
THE black mamba is one of the most venomous snakes in the world. It belongs to the Elapidae family. The species is native to parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The snake’s deadly reputation has attracted attention to it for ages. Several features make the black mamba unique.
Black mamba is the world’s fastest snake: These snakes can move 4,32 to 5,4 metres per second, making them the world’s fastest snakes.
Black mambas are very long: The black mamba is the world’s second-longest venomous snake after the king cobra. Most mature specimens are over 2m in length and many grow up to 3m. The longest black mamba specimens were 4,3 to 4,5m long.
Black mamba is both arboreal and terrestrial: Black mambas live at ease on both trees and the ground. They are agile and quick when climbing trees. On the ground, they inhabit termite mounds, rock crevices or abandoned burrows of other animals. On trees, they nest in tree cracks. When on the ground, the black mamba moves with a raised neck and head.
Black mamba is Africa’s most feared snake: The sheer size, aggression, and highly toxic venom of the black mamba make it Africa’s most feared snake. According to a South African survey from 1957 to 1979, black mambas were responsible for 75 of the recorded 2 553 venomous snakebites and caused the death of 21 people. In Zimbabwe, two out of the five people who died from venomous snake bites from 1991 to1992 were bitten by black mambas. Black mambas are more aggressive than other venomous snakes: Although the black mamba’s reputation as a highly-aggressive snake is exaggerated, it does not shy away from biting any intruder that approaches it too close. These snakes are also highly-unpredictable. Their ability to move quickly makes them more dangerous. They seldom tolerate humans closer than about 40m. Usually, they retreat into a hiding place when they perceive a threat. However, when cornered, the black mamba puts up a threat display where it flicks its tongue, hisses and spreads its neck-flap. Any movement by a human near it during such display triggers the snake to bite and envenomate the victim.
Black mambas strike repeatedly: Black mambas strike not once or twice, but repeatedly often injecting venom with every bite. This behaviour of the snake makes its bite deadlier than most other snakes as more venom gets added with every strike.
Most black mamba bites occur in upper body: Unlike most other snakes that bite in the lower extremities when encountered in the standing position, black mamba bites often affect the upper parts of the human body. The long size of the snake and its ability to raise its head for a significant distance above the ground allows it to launch about 40% of its body upwards and strike the upper parts of a standing human being.
Black mambas have black mouths: The most distinctive feature of black mambas is the dark inky black mouth of the species. While their overall colour is usually dark olive, olive green, light to dark grey or greyish brown, when they open their mouths it appears black inside.