The Black Mamba

Nichole Fields

Biology 101

Professor Robert Swatski

(Dendroaspis polylepis)

(Grall, n.d)

(Hargis, 2009)

Dendroaspis polylepis also known as the Black Mamba is the world’s fastest snake, and it is also one of the most venomous (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). The reptile has an average lifespan in the wild of eleven years or more (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). The snake can reach heights up to fourteen feet, and can weigh up to three and a half pounds (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).

(Kibuyu , 1986)

The snake is not black at all, but instead a grey to olive tone (“Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis” 1). Its name refers to the black color in its mouth that it displays as a defense mechanism when threatened (“Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis” 1).

(Vasenka, 2010)

The Black Mamba is a diurnal snake that hunts actively during the day, uses venom to paralyze its prey (Black Mamba Snakes 1). The snake spends its nights in holes in the ground, and if it is left undisturbed, it will remain living in the same lair for a long period of time (Black Mamba Snakes 1).

(Arensmeier, 2007)

The carnivorous snake feeds on rodents, bats, small mammals, birds, and lizards. The snake is able to swallow its prey whole, and digest it within a few hours, unlike some other snakes.

(Coomber, 2008)

Its breeding takes place in the late spring to early summer, and after mating the male returns to its own lair (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). The female will then lay between 10 to 25 eggs (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). The female’s nest usually consists of decomposing vegetation, which gives off heat to keep the eggs warm, and speeds up the hatching time (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). The egg shell allows water and oxygen through to reach the developing embryos (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).

Newport Geographic

The Black Mamba’s habitat ranges from Eastern Africa in southern Ethiopia to Southwest Africa (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).

(O. Taillon, 2005)

The Black Mamba dwells in the savannas and rocky hills of southern and eastern Africa (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). It spends its nights in burrows, or deep among rocks and timber (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). The cold blooded snake relies on external heat to maintain its body temperature, so it basks in the sun during the day on low tree branches and rocks (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).

( Jaszlics, 2008)

The world’s fastest snake, the Black Mamba, can travel speeds up to 12.5 miles per hour (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). This speed is normally not used to hunt prey, but to escape danger (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).

(Sloss, n.d.)

The Black Mamba is shy in nature, and will usually try to escape if it is confronted (Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis 1). However, if the snake is threatened it will raise its head up, spreading its cobra like-neck flap open (Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis 1). It will then display its black colored mouth, and hiss (Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis 1). The snake then strikes repeatedly injecting large amounts of potent neuro- and cardio toxin with each strike (Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis). The Black Mamba has the ability to lift a third of its body off the ground to attack if needed (Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis).

(Leitenbauer, 2006)

The snake can deliver up to 400 milligrams of venom, but only 10 to 15 milligrams is needed to kill an adult human (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). The venom is injected through two hollow fangs, which remain flat until the snake bites, and movable mouth bones erect them (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).

(Patterson, n.d)

The Black Mamba’s bite is 100% fatal and can cause death within 20 minutes (“Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis” 1).

(Brad, 2008)

Symptoms Include: Pain in the area bitten Tingling sensation in the extremities Drooping eyelids(Eyelid Ptosis) Tunnel Vision Sweating Excessive Salivation Lack of Muscle Control …………without medical attention the symptoms rapidly progress to: Convulsions Respiratory Failure Coma And death due to suffocation from paralysis (“Black Mamba Snake” 1)

The Black Mamba is a fast, highly aggressive, and lethally venomous snake when it is threatened. The snake has been blamed for numerous human deaths, and has become more than an African myth, but a legend based on its capabilities as the world’s deadliest snake.

National Geographic’s Black Mamba vs. Animal Kingdom May 15,2009

The Jeff Corwin Experience Black Mamba Clip May 29, 2010

Works Cited

“Black Mamba Snakes.” Animal Corner. Web. 4 Oct. 2011. <http://animalcorner.co.uk/ven_snakesblkmambahtml-.Tov Ibscy16E.email/>.

“Black Mamba.” Animals Nat Geo Wild. National Geographic.com. Web. 4 Oct. 2011. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/>.

Works Cited: Video

“Black Mamba vs. Animal Kingdom.” 15 May 2008. YouTube. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

“Jeff Corwin black mamba clip.” 29 May 2010. YouTube. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

Works Cited: Images

Arensmeirer, Tad. “Black Mamba Swallowing.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 27 March 2007. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

Brad. “Black Mamba.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 16 July 2008. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

Hargis, Atlee. “IMG 0928.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 8 April 2009. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

A. Jaszlics. “The Black Mamba.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 4 Nov. 2008. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

Kibuyu. “Dendroaspis polylepis.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 1986. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

Coomber, Daniel. “Black Mamba.” Flickr. Yahoo. 11 Aug. 2008. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

Works Cited: Images (cont.)

Leitenbauer, Guenter. “Black Mamba(Dendroaspis polylepis).” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 12 Aug. 2006. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

O. Taillon. “African savanna.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 24 July 2005. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

Sloss, Warwick. “Austin Stevens handles a black mamba in the Namibian Desert.” Photograph. Warwick Sloss. n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.

Vasenka. “Black Mamba.” Photograph. Flickr. Yahoo. 2 July 2010. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.