What is special about black mambas?
Black mambas are fast, nervous, lethally venomous, and when threatened, highly aggressive. They have been blamed for numerous human deaths, and African myths exaggerate their capabilities to legendary proportions. For these reasons, the black mamba is widely considered the world’s deadliest snake.
Can a Black Mamba kill a human?
And their venom is lethal. Black mambas (don’t let the name fool you – they’re very rarely black, and are more usually a dark brown – it is the inside of the mouth which is black) probably cause the largest number of snake-related deaths in southern Africa. It takes just two drops of venom to kill an adult human.
Who was the first person to see the Black Mamba?
The German herpetologist, Albert Günther, first described the Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) in 1864. Herr Günther was shown this highly venomous snake by explorers of the Zambezi river. There is little doubt that the black mamba has a lethal bite. The first antivenin to temper the venom in a Black Mamba’s fangs was created in 1962.
What should you do if you encounter a black mamba?
If you are unfortunate enough to encounter a Black Mamba, fleeing is the safest move. Black Mambas want to be left alone. If you retreat, the snake will likely do the same. This is assuming that the snake has not been aggravated.
Why are black mambas so dangerous in Africa?
The danger is compounded by the fact that Black Mambas often administer multiple bites in rapid succession. Before the development of antivenin, Black Mamba bites were almost always fatal. Unfortunately, antivenin is not available to those Africans most at risk.
How much venom does a black mamba snake have?
Classified with cobras, sea snakes, coral snakes and related species in the family Elapidae, the Black Mamba produces highly toxic venom that acts upon the nervous and circulatory systems. An adult mamba can deliver 100-120 mg of venom in a single bite.
The German herpetologist, Albert Günther, first described the Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) in 1864. Herr Günther was shown this highly venomous snake by explorers of the Zambezi river. There is little doubt that the black mamba has a lethal bite. The first antivenin to temper the venom in a Black Mamba’s fangs was created in 1962.
If you are unfortunate enough to encounter a Black Mamba, fleeing is the safest move. Black Mambas want to be left alone. If you retreat, the snake will likely do the same. This is assuming that the snake has not been aggravated.
The danger is compounded by the fact that Black Mambas often administer multiple bites in rapid succession. Before the development of antivenin, Black Mamba bites were almost always fatal. Unfortunately, antivenin is not available to those Africans most at risk.
Where does the black mamba snake come from?
The black mamba is one of the most venomous snakes in the world. It belongs to the Elapidae family. The species is native to parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The snake’s deadly reputation has attracted attention to it for ages. Several features make the black mamba unique. They have been mentioned below.
