Black Mamba
The black mamba is a large, venomous snake with a number of notable characteristics, including:
- Size
Black mambas can grow to be 14 ft (4.2 m) long, making them the longest venomous snake in Africa and the second longest in the world.
- Color
Black mambas are not actually black, but are usually olive, brown, or gray with a lighter underside. The inside of their mouths is black, which is how they got their name.
- Head
Black mambas have a narrow, coffin-shaped head with a pronounced brow ridge and medium-sized eyes.
- Venom
Black mambas have neurotoxic and cardiotoxic venom, and can strike repeatedly. 10–15 mg of their venom is fatal to humans.
- Habitat
Black mambas live in sub-Saharan Africa, in areas such as savannahs, rocky hillsides, termite mounds, and hollow tree trunks.
- Diet
Black mambas eat small mammals, birds, and sometimes other snakes.