Black mamba

For the comic book character, see Black Mamba (comics).

For the Kill Bill character, see Beatrix Kiddo.

For mixed martial artist, see Kultar Gill.

Black mamba
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Dendroaspis
Species:	D. polylepis
Binomial name
Dendroaspis polylepis

The Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), is an elapid snake native to Somalia and northeastern Kenya and is one of Africa's most dangerous and feared snakes. It is also known for being very aggressive when disturbed or confronted and will not hesitate to strike with deadly precision. The black mamba is the largest venomous snake in Africa and the second longest venomous snake in the world. Adult black mambas have an average length of 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) and a maximum length of 4.5 meters (~14 ft). Like all other reptiles, the black mamba is cold blooded which means it relies on external heat for the regulation of its own body temperature. Of the venomous snakes of the world, only the King Cobra is longer. The name "black mamba" is somewhat confusing because it contradicts the snake's actual color. Its body is not black at all; the name is given to it because of its inky black mouth. Normally, mambas have a dark olive, olive green, grey brown, or metal color. Some of them have a light band around their body. As mambas get older, their skin begins to darken. The black mamba is reputed to be the fastest moving snake in the world, and has been claimed to move at up to 19.5 km/h (12 mph).

Behavior

Black mambas are diurnal snakes that hunt prey actively during the day or night. Warm-blooded prey, such as rodents, ground squirrels, and other small mammals, are the mamba's main source of food. When hunting small animals, the black mamba delivers one or two deadly bites and backs off, waiting for the neurotoxin in its venom to paralyze the prey. When killing a bird, however, the black mamba will cling to its prey, preventing its departure. Black mambas have also been said to have eaten other reptiles and snakes but there is little documentation to support it.

When warding off a bigger threat or feeling very threatened, the black mamba usually delivers multiple strikes, injecting its potent neuro- and cardiotoxin with each strike, often attacking the body or head, unlike most other snakes. It can strike up to 12 times in a row. A single bite from a black mamba injects enough venom to kill anywhere from 20-40 grown men, easily killing one unless the appropriate anti-venom is administered in time. When cornered, it will readily attack. When in the striking position, the mamba flattens its neck, hisses very loudly and displays its inky black mouth and fangs. It can rear up around one-third of its body from the ground, which allows it to reach heights of approximately four feet.

If left undisturbed, black mambas tend to live for long periods of time in their lairs, which are often vacated insect mounds or hollow trees. Although they are not supposed to be arboreal, they can sometimes be found in trees. They also seem to have permanent basking spots which are returned to daily. Typically, when a black mamba senses danger, it will quickly slither away to the nearest hiding spot.

Venom

"Black mambas are among the ten most venomous snakes in the world. With a LD₅₀ of 0.25-0.32 mg/kg, the black mamba is more than 3 times as venomous as the Cape Cobra, over 5 times as venomous as the King cobra, and about 40 times as venomous as the Gaboon viper." Black mamba venom contains very poweful neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. Its bite delivers about 100-120 mg of venom on average, but can also deliver up to 400 mg of venom. It only takes 10-15 mg a venom to have a fatal effect on a grown human adult.

"The initial symptom of the bite is local pain in the bite area, although not as severe as with snakes that possess hemotoxins." The victim will then experience a tingling sensation in the mouth and extremities, ptosis, diplopia, dysphagia, tunnel vision, ophthalmoparesis, severe confusion, dysarthria, fever, diaphoresis (excessive perspiration), excessive salivation (including foaming of the mouth and nose), and pronounced ataxia (lack of muscle control). If the victim does not receive medical attention, symptoms rapidly progress to severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, lymphadenopathy, dyspnea (shortness of breath), epistaxis, pallor, shock, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and paralysis. Eventually the victim experiences convulsions, respiratory arrest, coma, and then death. Without treatment, the mortality rate is nearly 100%. Within 20 minutes, the victim is usually dead. This is among the highest mortality rate of venomous snakes. First aid conditions depend on factors associated with the nature of the bite. These 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 may also be a factor. The health, size, age, and psychological state of the individual bitten are also relevant.

Lifestyle

Black Mamba at St Louis zoo.

Black mambas live primarily in the grasslands of Africa and, though not considered an arboreal species, can live in bushes and small trees and also in houses. Their diet consists mainly of small birds and rodents and, despite the negative reputation, they play a crucial role in regulating pests. A black mamba can live up to 12 years.

Breeding

Breeding usually takes place in late spring or early summer. When breeding takes place the two mambas twist their bodies together, and the process can last for days. After mating the male will return to its own home. Females wait approximately 55 days before laying between 10 and 25 eggs. Female offspring are not bigger than male offspring. The offspring are independent as soon as they are born.

External links

• Richard Mastenbrok's Elapid Pages