Facts on the Black Mamba

Physical Description

• Black mambas are the longest venomous snake found in Africa, and can reach lengths of as much as 14 feet. Eight feet, however, is closer to the average length of the black mamba. They can weigh as much as 3 1/2 pounds, and are extremely fast. Black mambas have an average lifespan of about 11 years when living in the wild. Their skin color ranges from gray to olive.

Behavior

• Despite being an extremely venomous snake, black mambas are shy and avoid contact whenever possible. If black mambas are cornered or are otherwise unable to escape from a confrontation they raise their heads up off the ground to appear larger and hiss at their attacker. If the confrontation persists the black mamba will strike repeatedly and attempt to inject its venom.

Venom

• The venom of a black mamba is 100 percent fatal within roughly 20 minutes if the antivenom is not administered in time, which is no doubt part of the reason that African legends give such respect to the black mamba. Fortunately the antivenom is available, but is not often readily available in many of the rural areas where black mamba attacks occur, and as a result deaths from black mamba bite remain a common occurrence.

Habitat

• The habitat of the black mamba is much of the eastern coast of Africa, as well as a good chunk of the southern tip of the continent. Their natural habitat is rocky hills and savannas, however, human encroachment has begun to put pressure on the species. Sugarcane fields, for instance, are a man-made environment popular with black mambas, and it is environments like that where many black mamba deaths occur.