BLACK
MAMBA
The
African Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
is a large and highly venomous snake species native to much of Sub-Saharan
Africa. It is the second longest venomous snake species in the world and is the
fastest moving land snake, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres
per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph).[25][30] It is by
far the most feared and most dangerous snake species in Africa and it has a
legendary reputation as a very fierce and territorial snake. Black mambas are
well known to have an irascible temperament - they tend to be high-strung,
nervous, agile, extremely quick, are highly aggressive and will attack with no
provocation.[25][26] When cornered or threatened, the
black mamba can put up a fearsome display of defense and aggression. A black
mamba will often mimic a cobra by spreading a neck-flap; exposing its black
mouth, raising its body off the ground, and hissing. It can rear up around
one-third of its body from the ground, which can put it at about four feet
high. When warding off a threat, the black mamba delivers multiple strikes,
injecting large amounts of virulently toxic venom with each strike, often
landing bites on the body or head, unlike other snakes. Their strikes are very
quick and extremely accurate and effective.[15] If the
attempt to scare away the threat fails, it will strike repeatedly.[25] This
species of snake often shows an incredible amount of tenacity, fearlessness,
and aggression when cornered or threatened, during breeding season, or when
defending its territory.[8] They are also known to have a 100% rate of
envenomation. The probability of dry bites (no venom injected) in black mamba
strikes is almost non-existent.[31][32] The venom of the black mamba is a
protein of low molecular weight and as a result is able to spread
extraordinarily rapidly within the bitten tissue