Black Mamba
For other uses, see Black mamba (disambiguation).
Black mamba
A black mamba in a defensive posture
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Dendroaspis
Species: D. polylepis
Binomial name
Dendroaspis polylepis
Günther, 1864[2][3] In orange, range of D. polylepis In green, D. polylepis may or may not occur here
Synonyms[3]
Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis
Günther, 1864
Dendraspis polylepis
Günther, 1864
Dendraspis angusticeps
Boulenger 1896
Dendraspis antinorii
Peters, 1873
Dendroaspis polylepis antinorii
(Peters, 1873)
The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), also called the common black mamba or black-mouthed mamba,[4] is the longest venomous snake in Africa, averaging around 2.5 to 3.2 m (8.2 to 10 ft) in length, and sometimes growing to lengths of 4.45 m (14.6 ft).[5] It is named for the black colour of the inside of the mouth rather than the colour of its scales which varies from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is also the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph).[6] The black mamba has a reputation for being very aggressive, but it usually attempts to flee from humans like most snakes, unless it is threatened.[7] Without rapid and vigorous antivenom therapy, a bite from a black mamba is almost always fatal.[7][8][9]
Contents [hide] 1 Taxonomy
2 Description 2.1 Scalation
3 Distribution, habitat, and status 3.1 Distribution
3.2 Habitat
3.3 Conservation status
3.4 Fear, myths, and killings of black mambas
4 Behaviour and ecology 4.1 Behaviour
4.2 Hunting and prey
4.3 Communication and perception
4.4 Reproduction
4.5 Natural predators
5 Venom 5.1 Toxins
5.2 Situation in Africa
6 References
7 External links
Taxonomy[edit source]
Black mamba
A black mamba in a defensive posture
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Dendroaspis
Species: D. polylepis
Binomial name
Dendroaspis polylepis
Günther, 1864[2][3] In orange, range of D. polylepis In green, D. polylepis may or may not occur here
Synonyms[3]
Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis
Günther, 1864
Dendraspis polylepis
Günther, 1864
Dendraspis angusticeps
Boulenger 1896
Dendraspis antinorii
Peters, 1873
Dendroaspis polylepis antinorii
(Peters, 1873)
The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), also called the common black mamba or black-mouthed mamba,[4] is the longest venomous snake in Africa, averaging around 2.5 to 3.2 m (8.2 to 10 ft) in length, and sometimes growing to lengths of 4.45 m (14.6 ft).[5] It is named for the black colour of the inside of the mouth rather than the colour of its scales which varies from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is also the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph).[6] The black mamba has a reputation for being very aggressive, but it usually attempts to flee from humans like most snakes, unless it is threatened.[7] Without rapid and vigorous antivenom therapy, a bite from a black mamba is almost always fatal.[7][8][9]
Contents [hide] 1 Taxonomy
2 Description 2.1 Scalation
3 Distribution, habitat, and status 3.1 Distribution
3.2 Habitat
3.3 Conservation status
3.4 Fear, myths, and killings of black mambas
4 Behaviour and ecology 4.1 Behaviour
4.2 Hunting and prey
4.3 Communication and perception
4.4 Reproduction
4.5 Natural predators
5 Venom 5.1 Toxins
5.2 Situation in Africa
6 References
7 External links
Taxonomy[edit source]