mamba

Dendroaspis
Black Mamba
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Dendroaspis
Species
D. angusticeps (eastern green mamba) D. jamesoni (Jameson's mamba) D. jamesoni jamesoni (Jameson's green mamba) D. jamesoni kaimosea (Jameson's black-tail mamba) D. polylepis (black mamba) D. polylepis polylepis (black mamba) D. viridis (western green mamba)

Mambas, of the genus Dendroaspis, are fast-moving land-dwelling snakes of Africa. ("Dendroaspis" is literally "tree snake".) They belong to the family of Elapidae which includes cobras, coral snakes, kraits and, debatably, sea snakes although these are now classed as Hydrophiidae, all of which can be extremely deadly. The black mamba (D. polylepis) is the longest venomous snake in Africa, with an extremely potent neurotoxic venom that attacks the nervous system, and cardiotoxins which attack the heart; the bite is often fatal to humans without access to proper first aid and subsequent antivenom treatment, because it shuts down the lungs and heart. Prior to the availability of antivenom, envenomations by members of this genus carried a nearly 100% fatality rate. However, with antivenom being much more available today, fatalities have become much more rare.

The Western green mamba (D. viridis) and Eastern green mamba, (D. angusticeps), possess venom that is roughly equal in potency to that of the black mamba. However, they are not nearly as aggressive. They are slightly smaller, and are arboreal, whereas the latter is primarily terrestrial.

The black mamba is not named for the colour of its body (which is usually a shade of grey or charcoal), but for the highly pigmented interior of its mouth, which it will display to the predator in hopes it will leave it alone. Many people believe that the black mamba will actually chase and attack humans. This is a myth, and is probably fueled by the great speed with which this species can move — although the black mamba uses this speed to escape from threats rather than for hunting.^[1] Humans are actually their predators, rather than their prey. For that reason, mambas generally avoid contact with humans. However, if a mamba feels threatened or trapped, it may defend itself fiercely, and it has the ability to attack repeatedly.^[1]

In contrast to all other species in this genus, which are arboreal, black mambas reside in hollow insect mounds, abandoned burrows, and rock crevices. They are diurnal. During the day they actively hunt their prey of small mammals, birds and lizards. They return to the same lair nightly.

Mambas are related to the cobras (Elapidae), as can be seen during their threat display, when they stretch a slightly smaller 'hood' while gaping their mouth. Unlike most other snakes, mambas will strike repeatedly if cornered, and have been reported to bring down a giraffe and a lion with their venom.

Mamba toxin

Mamba toxin is in fact several components, with different targets. Examples are:

• Mamba toxin 3, which inhibits M4 receptors. ^[2]
• Mamba toxin 7, which inhibits M1 receptors.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Black mamba, National Geographic.
2. ^ ^{a b} Rang, H. P. (2003). Pharmacology. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. pp. 139. ISBN 0-443-07145-4. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dendroaspis

• Elapidae
• Animal Planet
• Cobras