Black mambas

 Black mambas: Africa's most feared snake  

The black mamba, one of Africa's most feared and respected snakes, inevitably evokes reactions of fear.  Black mambas, native to sub-Saharan Africa, are known for their extreme aggressiveness and potent venom, which can be fatal to humans. Despite their fearsome reputation, these snakes play a crucial role in the ecosystem and are often misunderstood. They thrive in various habitats and exhibit unique behaviour and hunting techniques. People have long exaggerated its behaviour, claiming it can "move like the wind" or cause whirlwinds, making it one of the most feared creatures in Africa. Though these stories are not true, the black mamba’s deadly reputation stems from its ability to deliver fatal bites swiftly and efficiently. The black mamba is renowned for its extreme aggressiveness, especially when it feels threatened. This trait, combined with its potent venom, has made it the subject of many myths and legends.

Black Mamba Myths

Many myths have been spread about black mambas over the years. It has been coined super-fast, super-intelligent, and shrewd and magical abilities have even been attributed to it, which has added to the myth and mystery of the black mamba. One such myth sees the mamba bite its tail to make a loop, enabling it to roll down a hill. As it comes to the bottom, it straightens like an arrow and attacks at exceptional speed. Another false perception maintains that the black mamba has superior intelligence enabling it to plan an attack on humans, where it 'ambushes' a car by waiting in the road, then coils itself around the wheel to bite the driver when he reaches his destination. Some people believe that the snake can move so fast it appears like a whirlwind. Others claim it can balance on the tip of its tail or even coil up and roll toward its prey. Donald Strydom, reptile expert and owner of Khamai Reptile Park near Hoedspruit, says many locals believe a whirlwind is  caused by the speed and power of the black mamba as it moves on its path of seek and revenge. Others believe a huge crested black mamba, which moves like the wind, roams and guards the Mariepskop Mountains. These stories are pure fiction but reflect the deep-rooted fear many people have of this snake.

What is a Black Mamba?

While it is one of the most dangerous snakes on Earth due to its potent venom and aggression when threatened, it plays a vital role in the ecosystems of sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding its behaviour, habitat, and role in nature can help dispel the myths and foster a more accurate appreciation of this fascinating reptile. The fictions abound, yet they are sprung in many ways from the facts about this graceful, alert and often unpredictable, but mostly deadly poisonous snake. The black mamba is named for the colour of the inside of its mouth, which is black. This is clearly displayed when it is threatened. "They are not likely to go into human dwellings, although this may happen more frequently in the Hoedspruit area due to the recent number of property developments that are 'disturbing' the bush," says Donald. He sees this as a temporary phenomenon that will recede to 'normal' once the developments are complete. "It is not a social animal and not territorial," says Donald. It may stay within a certain area, but will not defend that area. The snake has a matt, brownish-grey body with a light belly. Its preferred habitat includes termite mounds, hollow tree trunks, granite hillocks and moist savannah and lowland forests. Nor does it defend its young. The female lays between 10 to 25 eggs and never returns to the hatchlings, which are about 51cm long when born. They are independent immediately. There is no visible difference between a male and female black mamba.

Size and physical appearance

Black mambas are the longest venomous snakes in Africa. On average, they grow between 2 and 2.5 metres (6.6 to 8.2 feet) in length, but some individuals can reach up to 4.5 metres (14.8 feet). Despite their considerable length, they are relatively lightweight, typically weighing around 1.6 kg (3.5 pounds). Their slender bodies enable them to move with incredible speed and agility. An adult snake reaches an average length of 2.5m. The longest black mamba (and current record length), measuring 4.4m, was found in Zimbabwe. 

Diet

The black mamba is a carnivorous predator which hunts mainly during the day. It has a varied diet, including:-

Small mammals: Rodents, bush babies (small primates), hyraxes (rodent-like mammals), and bats are its primary food sources.

Birds: Mambas are skilled at raiding bird nests, consuming nestlings and fledglings.

Other snakes: Though rare, black mambas have been known to eat smaller snakes when other prey is scarce. To find food, black mambas make extensive journeys, sometimes traveling far from their resting places. Their active nature means they are frequently on the move, searching for prey.

Living Places

The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It thrives in a variety of environments, including:-

Forest edges: Areas with dense vegetation, which provide ample hunting opportunities and hiding spots.

Rocky hills: Black mambas often take shelter in the crevices of rocky outcrops to avoid predators and extreme weather. Although primarily terrestrial (ground-dwelling), black mambas are excellent climbers and can be found in trees. Their preferred resting places include tree hollows, rock crevices and burrows, where they can remain undisturbed when not hunting.

Savannahs: Open grasslands where the snake can move quickly across flat terrain.

Hunting techniques

Unlike popular perception, the snake is not aggressive and will do anything in its power to head away from humans rather than attack. If this is not possible and it feels threatened it will raise its front and head off the ground and flatten its hood to deter the perceived threat. If still threatened it will bite in several quick strikes. The biggest danger for man is when he attempts to kill the black mamba. It will defend itself to the maximum. Black mambas are highly efficient hunters. They rely on a combination of speed, stealth and sensory abilities:-

Lateral undulation: This snake moves quickly using an S-shaped pattern, propelling its body forward in smooth, undulating motions.

Vision: Black mambas have excellent eyesight and can detect prey from a distance.

Vomeronasal organ: Also known as Jacobson's organ, located in the roof of their mouth, this structure helps detect chemical signals (smells) in the environment, giving the mamba an acute sense of smell. When hunting, a black mamba can lift its head 50 cm (about 1.6 feet) off the ground, enabling it to strike with precision. During an attack, the snake can elevate its head as high as 1 metre (3.3 feet) to deliver its deadly strike.

Effects of Black mambas venom

The venom of a black mamba is one of the deadliest in the world. Black mamba venom is highly toxic. Two drops of venom can kill a person and a mamba can have up to 20 drops in its fangs. The venom contains both neurotoxins and cardio toxins. The first affects the nervous system, while the latter attacks the heart. A single bite can inject 100 to 120 mg of venom, though up to 400 mg has been recorded. This venom contains:-

Neurotoxins: These toxins interfere with nerve signals, causing paralysis and respiratory failure.

Cardiotoxins: These affect the heart, leading to cardiac arrest. A lethal dose for humans is only 10 to 15 mg, meaning that even a small amount of venom can be fatal if left untreated. Death can occur within hours if antivenin is not administered promptly.

The bite initial symptoms include slight swelling where bitten and or pain or a light burning sensation, the loss of control of the tongue and jaw and slurred speech, tunnel and blurred vision, drowsiness, paralysis of all muscle groups and mental confusion. A Black Mamba bite is life-threatening if these symptoms appear within an hour of the bite. The respiratory system is especially affected.  Not all bites are fatal. Depending on where the snake bit and how much venom was injected, one could survive the bite - even without antivenin used.

Defence Mechanisms

Despite their reputation, black mambas do not seek out human encounters. They are shy by nature and will usually try to escape when approached. However, when cornered or threatened, their defensive behaviour can be deadly. The snake may:-

Raise its head and upper body: This is a display of dominance, warning the threat to back off.

Display its mouth: The inside of a black mamba’s mouth is a deep, inky black colour. The snake opens its mouth wide, showing this colour as a threat display. If the perceived threat does not retreat, the black mamba may strike with incredible speed, delivering multiple bites in rapid succession.

Snake Season

November to March-April is snake season, especially after the first summer rains. Black mambas breed in spring and early summer. During this time, males engage in combat over females, wrestling each other to establish dominance. Once mating occurs, the female lays 6 to 17 eggs, typically in decaying vegetation which generates heat to incubate the eggs. After about 80 to 90 days, the young hatch and are immediately independent, capable of hunting for themselves. New born black mambas are about 50 cm long and can grow rapidly, reaching up to 2 metres in length within their first year. Black mambas typically have a lifespan of about 11 years in the wild, though they can live longer in captivity. The black mamba is one of four mamba species. The others are:-

Eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps)

Western green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis)

Jameson’s mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni)

Unlike the black mamba, these other species are arboreal (tree-dwelling) and are generally less aggressive.

Conclusion

Known for their incredible speed, black mambas can reach up to 12 miles per hour (19 km's per hour), making them the fastest snakes in the world. This speed allows them to swiftly escape threats and efficiently hunt prey. They use their agility to cover large distances quickly, which is crucial in the wild.  Their rapid movements and quick strikes make them formidable predators, able to catch birds and mammals with ease. This remarkable speed, combined with their potent venom and aggressive nature, solidifies the black mamba's reputation as one of the most feared and respected snakes on the planet.