The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is a venomous elapid snake. It is the largest venomous
snake in Africa and the second largest venomous snake in the world. Only the
King Cobra is larger. Adult black mambas have an average length of 2.5 meters (8.2 ft)
and a maximum length of 4.5 meters (14 ft).[1] The black mamba receives its name from the black coloration inside of its mouth, rather than
their skin color which is a gray to olive tone. The black mamba is the fastest moving snake in the world, capable of moving up to
20 km/h(12.5 mph). However it uses this speed to evade danger, rather than catch prey.[1]
Behavior
The Black Mamba is one of the deadliest snakes in the world. A single bite may inject enough venom to kill from 20-40 grown
men, easily killing one unless the appropriate anti-venom is administered in time. When cornered, they will readily
attack.[2] In fact, many snake experts have cited the
black mamba as the world's most aggressive snake, noting tendency to actively attack without provocation.[3] When in the striking position, the mamba flattens its neck, hisses very
loudly and displays its inky black mouth and deadly fangs. It can rear up around one-third of its body from the ground[1] which allows it to reach heights of approximately
four feet (1.21 meters).[2] When warding off a
threat, 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.[4]
[1]
If left undisturbed, Black Mambas tend to live in their lairs for long periods of time, which are often vacated insect mounds
or hollow trees. Black mambas are diurnal snakes that hunt prey actively day or night. When
hunting small animals, the Black Mamba delivers a single deadly bite 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 it from flying away.
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.[5] Black mamba venom
contains powerful, rapid-acting neurotoxins and cardiotoxins, including calciseptine.[6] 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. The initial symptom
of the bite is local pain in the bite area, although not as severe as snakes with hemotoxins.
The victim then experiences a tingling sensation in the extremities, drooping eyelids (eyelid ptosis), tunnel vision, sweating, excessive salivation, and lack of muscle control (specifically the
mouth and tongue). If the victim does not receive medical attention, symptoms rapidly progress to nausea, shortness of breath,
confusion, and paralysis. Eventually, the victim experiences convulsions, respiratory failure,
and coma, and dies due to suffocation resulting from paralysis of the muscles used for breathing.
Without treatment the mortality rate is 100%[1],
the highest among all venomous snakes in the world.
Lifestyle
Black mambas live primarily in Scrubland and, though not considered an arboreal species, can
live in bushes and small trees. Its diet consists mainly of small birds and rodents and, despite the negative reputation, it
plays a crucial role in regulating pests.[7]
Breeding
Breeding usually takes place in late spring or early summer. After mating the male will return back to its own home. The
female will then lay between 10 and 25 eggs. The offspring are independent as soon as they are born and can capture prey the size
of a rat.[8]
Cultural references
- John Godey's novel 'The Snake' deals with a black mamba loose in New York's
Central Park.
- The Air Jordan XIX (19) basketball shoe's design was inspired by the black mamba.[9]
- Uma Thurman's character Beatrix Kiddo in the
Kill Bill movie series has the codename "Black
Mamba" - all DiVAs members have snake codenames. The character of Budd
was killed by a black mamba planted in a suitcase full of money. As he lies dying, Elle
Driver, the one responsible for planting the snake, reads to him a compilation of facts about the snake's venom, similar
to the information listed above.[10]
- The 1982 British horror film "Venom" (starring Klaus Kinski) featured a black mamba, delivered to a young boy by mistake, and
set loose in his house just as a kidnap plot went awry.[11]
- There is a Marvel Comics character named Black Mamba.[12]
- "Black Mamba" is also a name of a mecha from Heavy
Gear.
- Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is
nicknamed "Black Mamba".[13]
- "Black Mamba" is the title of a song by the rock band The Academy Is....[14]
- "Black Mamba" is the name of an inverted coaster at the Phantasialand,
Nordrheinwestfahlen, Germany.[15]
- "Black Mamba" is the title of a song by Jethro Tull on their 1999 album J-Tull
Dot Com.[16]
- Mixed Martial Arts fighter Kultar Gill goes by his nackname, "The Black Mamba"
- "The Black Mamba" was the nickname used by Roger Mayweather (uncle and trainer of Floyd Mayweather Jr.) during his days as a
professional prizefighter.
- 'Black Mamba' is also a a generic name in popular culture for a large black vibrator or dildo, as seen in Red
Dwarf
- Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, a purveyor of fine perfume oils, carries a
Limited Edition blend called Faiza the Black Mamba.
- A black mamba sock puppet is seen occasionally on Wildboyz. The camera man would put it on,
sneek up on someone, and slap them on the head.
See also
References
External links
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