As we were heading back to the Skakuza camp in Kruger National Park, we noticed a car stopped for what appeared to be no reason. As we approached the vehicle, we noticed a small snake in the middle of the road. Upon closer observation, we noticed that it was a baby black mamba snake. I found this especially interesting as snakes are some of my favorite animals. Though not critically endangered, this snake is extremely fascinating as it is known to be one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.
The black mambas mating season is late spring/early summer. The size of this particular snake suggested that it was only a few moths old. Though this snake was only a mere two feet in length, black mambas can grow to be 14 feet long and live up to 11 years (Szalay, 2014). Their heads are coffin shaped heads and have a grayish brown color. It is a common misconception that the black mamba gets its name from the color of their skin, but it is actually named for the color of the inside of their mouths. They are mainly located in the southern and eastern savannas of Africa and are more often than not slithering about on the ground. The black mamba is known as the fasted snake in the world traveling at speeds reaching 12 mph and can slither with its head four feet of the ground (Szalay, 2014). Almost all of their hunting is done during the day where at night they return to their home which can be found in hollowed out trees or under rock piles.
The black mamba is an extremely venomous snake. They only hunt for small mammals and birds, but if provoked they can be a dangerous enemy. After a black mamba sinks its fangs into one’s flesh, its venom quickly shuts down the muscles that bring air into the lungs, causing death within twenty minutes. This snake is actually shy despite its reputation and will usually use its speed to evade threats, but when it is concerned or disturbed, the black mamba will repeatedly bite its victim injecting it with its venom (Tikkanen, 2017). There are instances of survival, but that only comes with respiratory support and antivenom which is not widely available in the African savannas.
There are myths that black mambas are able to outrun horses and that there is no antivenom for black mamba bites. These myths are widely accepted in societies across the globe making them one of the most feared snakes out there. Even knowing the truth about their speed and venom does not help the scare factor these snakes poses. Though they are quite frightening, they are just as elegant and beautiful.
Works Cited
Szalay, Jessie. “Black Mamba Facts.” LiveScience, Purch, 23 Dec. 2014, https://www.livescience.com/43559-black-mamba.html.
“Black Mamba.” National Geographic, 24 Sept. 2018, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/b/black-mamba/.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Black Mamba.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/animal/black-mamba.
