Known as the largest venomous snake in Africa, with a maximum length of up to 4.5m, the black mamba is a naturally shy and elusive snake species.
Although highly venomous, the black mamba (Dendroaspis polyepis) favours a quick escape and as such bites are rare and usually only occur if the snake is cornered repeatedly. The black mamba’s venom is potently neurotoxic, and any bite requires immediate medical attention, so be careful!
Being mostly active during the day, the black mamba can be seen basking in the sun or hunting for prey near termite mounds, tree hollows, rock crevices or high on the branches of trees. Sightings of them crossing the roads are common in this area, too.
Did you know?
- Black mambas are known for their strength and speed and can lift up to a third of their body off the ground to stand “upright”. This can be an intimidation tactic, if unexpectedly faced with a threat, to appear bigger than they already are.
- The name of this snake does not come from the colour of the scales and body? When irritated or threatened, the snake will gape to expose the black inner lining of the mouth, where the name originates from. It may even display a narrow hood below the head!
- In terms of colour, the black mamba varies between light olive and light grey, darkening as it matures. Adults may be dark olive, greyish brown, gunmetal grey or tinged green, often resulting in it being confused with boomslangs, olive grass snakes or cobras.
Fun Facts:
The black mamba shares the same distinctive black gape of the mouth with the Rattling Cisticola - a small bird that makes a lot of noise! The inky black colour of the mouth lining is not common in the animal kingdom and is only known to be locally present in these two species. The black gape is most likely used as a visual cue or signal.
The black mamba is also easily recognisable by its elongated, coffin-shaped head and big “smile”. The mouth extends far backwards in an upwards curve, giving the illusion of a smile from the side. </p
Juvenile black mamba removed from a bungalow
Words by Tess Woollgar. Images courtesy of Josh Hibbet & Pixabay