Overview
Swift, alert and highly venomous, the black mamba is one of Africa’s most respected snakes. It is also the continent’s longest venomous snake, with adults commonly exceeding two metres in length.
Despite its name, the snake itself is not black. Its slender body may be olive, grey, brown or gunmetal in colour. The name comes from the dark, almost ink-black lining of its mouth, which becomes clearly visible during a defensive display.
Black mambas are active during the day and spend much of their time hunting small mammals and birds or resting in familiar shelters such as rock crevices, hollow trees and abandoned burrows. Although capable of defending themselves forcefully when threatened, they normally try to escape rather than confront people. A sighting should always be treated with considerable distance and respect.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a very long, slender snake with a narrow, coffin-shaped head, smooth-looking scales and a body that varies from olive-grey to dark brown. The mouth’s black interior is usually hidden and should not be considered an everyday identification feature—it is most obvious when the snake feels threatened.
Black mambas are mainly terrestrial but are also accomplished climbers. They often return to the same refuge and may hunt from a familiar home range, moving quickly between shelter and feeding areas.
When threatened, a black mamba may raise the front of its body, flatten its neck slightly, open its black mouth and hiss. If escape is blocked, it can strike repeatedly. Its venom acts primarily on the nervous system and can cause progressive paralysis and respiratory failure. Any suspected bite is a life-threatening medical emergency requiring immediate professional treatment and antivenom.
Interesting facts
The black mamba is not actually black. Its common name refers to the dark lining inside its mouth rather than the colour of its body.
It is extremely fast for a snake, but not as fast as often claimed. Reliable estimates place its maximum short-distance speed at around 16 km/h rather than the frequently repeated 20 km/h.
Its first response is usually to escape. The dramatic open-mouthed display, raised posture and hissing are warnings used when the snake feels cornered or unable to retreat.