The Black Mamba is species of venomous snakes that were given the scientific name Dendroaspis polylepis. They are one of Africa’s most dangerous snakes and one the largest venomous snake in the world, growing up to about 12-14ft. It can be found all throughout Africa and inhabits a wide variety of areas. They are very aggressive when threatened, striking with deadly accuracy and will not hesitate to do so.
Though its name is the Black mamba it is not always “black”. When young it tends to be more of a grayish green color, but as it gets older the skin on the snake will darken.
The Black Mamba is the largest poisonous snake in all of Africa, it is also the second longest poisonous snake in the world. As adults, black mambas on average grow to be about 2.5 meters in length and a maximum of about 4.5 meters which is about 14ft. Like all of the other reptiles, the black mamba relies heavily on external heat to control the temperature of its body. Out of all the venomous snakes in the world there is only one snake that is longer, that snake is the King Cobra.
The snake's color isn't actually black. Usually the black mambas that are seen have more of a brown color to them, although some have a dark olive, olive green, grey brown, or metallic looking color. Some of the snakes have a light ring or band around their body. As the mambas get older, their skin begins to get darker.
The black mamba is known to be the fastest moving snake in the world, and has been claimed to move at up to 12mph. There are four different ways that a snake can move. There is the concertina method, the serpentine method sidewinding, and also the rectilinear method. The black mamba uses more of a serpentine method of moving itself.
