Black Mamba

(Dendroaspis Polylepis)

The black mamba (Dendroaspis Polylepis) is one of Africa's best-known snakes. This fast-moving elapid can reach speeds of 12mph (19km per hour). Despite its name, the snake is not black. Its name comes from the blue-black colour inside its mouth, which it displays when threatened.

Description

This snake's colouration varies between olive, brown, and grey, with a lighter colouration on its underside. The black interior of its mouth is a distinctive feature of this species and differs from other snakes, including the green mamba, which has a white interior.

Black mambas have been known to reach 4.3 metres, with an average length of 2-2.5 metres.

Important: Colour, markings and overall appearance can vary considerably between individual snakes. Photographs, descriptions and information on this website should not be relied upon to identify a potentially venomous snake. If you encounter a snake, keep your distance and leave identification and removal to trained professionals.

The highly feared black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), defensively displaying its black mouth. Africa’s deadly venomous snake

Defence display of the black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), showing its black mouth. Photography: © Craig Cordier/Shutterstock

Distribution

This species is commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa.

Habitat

The black mamba inhabits a wide range of habitats including, savannas, forests, grasslands, shrublands, and rocky areas such as cliffs and mountain slopes. It prefers well-wooded savannas and riverine forests, particularly where rocky hills and large trees provide suitable shelter. The species also occurs in coastal bushland and across both wet and dry savanna and woodland environments. Black mambas are primarily ground dwellers, although they will climb when needed. They make their home in holes in the ground, small rock crevices, termite mounds or in hollow logs, venturing out in search of food or a mate.

Diet

This species has been known to eat other snakes and birds; however, they are not a primary food source. It more commonly eats small mammals, bats and insectivores.

Behaviour

It is considered an aggressive species; however, attacks normally occur when the snake cannot escape. Retreating to safety is this snake's preference, but if it continues to feel threatened, it will often display an open mouth, a slightly raised, flattened upper body, and hiss. If it still perceives a threat, it will strike, often repeatedly, to protect itself.

Reproduction

Females lay 6-17 eggs in a clutch. After 80-90 days, the young hatch and can survive in the wild for around 11 years. In captivity, these snakes usually live longer, often reaching around 20 years.

Two Black Mambas (Dendroaspis polylepis) mating. Photography: © alfotokunst/Shutterstock

Venom

Black mambas can deliver large quantities of venom with each bite. The neurotoxic venom attacks the nervous system and the heart.

Conservation status

Black mambas have a wide distribution and are not considered at risk. The IUCN Red List classifies this species as least concern.

Fangtastic Fact

Scientists have studied peptides from black mamba venom called mambalgins. In animal studies, these peptides produced pain relief as strong as morphine, while causing much less dependency and no respiratory distress.

Mambalgins work differently from opioid painkillers by blocking acid-sensing ion channels involved in pain signalling. Their promising results have led to ongoing research into whether venom-derived peptides could one day contribute to new pain treatments with fewer opioid-related side effects.

Disclaimer

Quick Links

Content on this website is provided for general educational purposes and is not suitable for identifying snakes or guiding interactions with them. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is made regarding completeness or suitability for specific circumstances. Wild snakes should not be approached or handled, and professional snake catchers should be contacted if assistance is required. By using this website, users acknowledge and accept these terms.

All images on this site are copyright to their respective owners. Images without attribution are owned by Fangtastic Facts.