The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is the largest venomous snake in Africa, with an average length around 8 feet (2.5 m), but may grow to over 14 feet (4.5 m). It got its name because of the black inside of its mouth; the actual color of the skin is varied: dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is one of the fastest snakes in the world, capable of moving at 10 to 12 mph (16 to 20 km/h).
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| Species: | D. polylepsis
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| Dendroaspis polylepsis | |
Behavior
The black mamba is a territorial snake and will normally retreat from danger. However, this snake will become very aggressive if it feels threatened, especially if the threat is standing between the snake and its lair. When in its aggressive mode, the Mamba will rear its head as high as possible, even sometimes being able to look directly into the eyes of an averaged sized human depending on the snake's size. It will arch its back and advance rapidly while balanced on the rear third of its body, jaws open to reveal the inky black inside of its mouth while hissing very aggressively. When hunting small animals it delivers a single bite and backs off, waiting for the nerve toxin in its venom to paralyze the prey. If the prey is a bird, it will usually hang on to the bird waiting for the venom to take effect. If fighting off a threat, it will deliver multiple deadly strikes.
Venom
The venom of this snake is extremely toxic. Its bite delivers about 100-120 mg of venom on average, however it can deliver up to 400 mg of venom; 10 to 15 mg is deadly to a human adult. Mortality rate is 100% unless promptly treated with antivenom. Death is due to suffocation resulting from paralysis of the muscles used for breathing. Even though its venom is not the most toxic gram for gram, due to its aggressive nature and large quantity of venom delivered as well as its speed, it is widely regarded as the most dangerous snake in the world. Black mamba bites can potentially kill a human within minutes depending on the health, size, age, and psychological state of the human. Other factors include penetration of one or both fangs, amount of venom injected, location of the bite, and proximity to major blood vessels. The health of the snake and the interval since it last used its venom mechanism is also important.
Cultural references
Uma Thurman's character Beatrix Kiddo in the Kill Bill series has the nickname Black mamba, along with several of the other characters given snake nicknames.
Black Mamba is also a name of a mecha from Heavy Gear.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers gave himself the nickname Black Mamba.
Gallery
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Black mamba at Wilmington's Serpentarium.
