The Black Mamba

Photography by Atlee Hargis

(Dendroaspis polylepis)Dendroaspis polylepisalso known as the Black Mamba is the world’s fastest snake, and it is also one of the most venomous. The reptile has an average lifespan in the wild of elevenyears or more. The snake canreach heights up to fourteenfeet, and can weigh up to threeand a half pounds.

By: Nichole Fields

Biology 101

Professor Swatski

Photography by Kibuyu

The snake is not black at all,but instead a grey to olive tone. Its name refers to the blackcolor in its mouth that itdisplays as a defense mechanism whenthreatened.

Newport Geographic

The Black Mamba’s habitatranges from Eastern Africain southern Ethiopia toSouthwest Africa.

Photography by O. Taillon

The Black Mamba dwellsin the savannas and rockyhills of southern and eastern Africa. It spends its nightsin burrows, or deep among rocksand timber. The cold bloodedsnake relies on externalheat to maintain its bodytemperature, so it basksin the sun during the day on low tree branches and rocks.

Photography by Tad Arensmeier

The carnivorous snakefeeds on rodents, bats,small mammals, birds, andlizards. The snake is able to swallow its prey whole,and digest it within a fewhours, unlike some other snakes.

Photography by A. Jaszlics

The world’s fastest snake, the Black Mamba, can travelspeeds up to 12.5 milesper hour. This speed is normallynot used to hunt prey, but toescape danger.

Photography by thebutterflydiaries

The Black Mamba is shyin nature, and will usuallytry to escape if it is confronted. However, if the snake is threatenedit will raise its head up, spreading its cobralike-neck flap open. It will then displayits black colored mouth, and hiss.The snake then strikes repeatedly injectinglarge amounts of potent neuro-and cardio toxin with each strike.The Black Mamba has the ability to lift athird of its body off the ground toattack if needed.

Photography by Rod Patterson

The Black Mamba’s biteis 100% fatal and can causedeath within 20 minutes.

Photography by Guenter Leitenbauer

The snake can deliver up to400 milligrams of venom, butonly 10 to 15 milligrams isneeded to kill an adult human.The venom is injected throughtwo hollow fangs, which remainflat until the snake bites, and movablemouth bones erect them.

Photography by Brad

Symptoms Include:Pain in the area bittenTingling sensation in the extremitiesDrooping eyelids(Eyelid Ptosis)Tunnel VisionSweatingExcessive SalivationLack of Muscle Control…………without medical attentionthe symptoms rapidly progress to:ConvulsionsRespiratory FailureComaAnd death due to suffocation from paralysis

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/>.

“Black Mamba.” Encyclopedia of Animals (2006). Primary Search. EBSCO. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://ezproxy.hacc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=prh&AN=20073437&site=ehost-live>.

Works Cited

“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

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. 25Nov. 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.

Works Cited

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.