The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), also called the common black mamba or black-mouthed mamba, is a highly venomous snake of the genus Dendroaspis (Mambas), and is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. It is the longest species of venomous snake in Africa and the second longest venomous snake in the world, averaging around 2.2 to 2.7 m (7.2 to 8.9 ft) in length, and sometimes growing close to lengths of 4 m (13 ft). The longest recorded black mamba was 4.3 m (14 ft).
Black mambas are one of the most feared snake species in the world, and certainly the most feared in Africa. One snake expert called this species “death incarnate”. Its combination of speed, unpredictable aggression, and potent venom make it an extremely dangerous species. It is the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (11–19 km/h, 10–12 mph) for short distances. The black mamba has a reputation for being very aggressive, but like most snakes, it usually attempts to flee from humans unless threatened.
It has one of the most potent snake venoms in the world and the venom is the most rapid-acting of among all other snakes, and in cases of severe envenomation, it is capable of killing an adult human in as little as 20 minutes. Two such cases have been documented in the medical literature. In one such case, an adult male was bitten on his right arm, just above the wrist by a black mamba which was estimated to be approximately 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in length. The victim began to show signs of prominent neurotoxicity within minutes. At ten minutes post-envenomation, respiratory paralysis set in and 20 minutes post-envenomation the victim showed no signs of life and was deceased. Other cases of rapid death, within 30–60 minutes are relatively common among this species. However, depending on the nature of the bite, death time can be anywhere from 20 minutes to 6–8 hours. Black mamba venom can kill a mouse after 4.5 minutes, the shortest time among all known venomous snakes. The second shortest time to kill a mouse on record was between 7–8 minutes via a coastal taipan envenomation. Without rapid and vigorous antivenom therapy, a bite from a black mamba is almost always rapidly fatal. Many experts regard this as the world’s most dangerous snake.
(Wikipedia)
