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Black mamba

Amphibians & Reptiles·Reptile

The black mamba, named for the black lining of its mouth, is a front-fanged snake and considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. A bite from a black mamba can kill a person within 30 minutes if antivenom is not given to stop damage to the nervous system.

Its great length, potent venom, and fierceness when attacking make it one of the most feared snakes in Africa.

  • Conservation StatusLeast Concern
  • Life span11 years
  • Body size6.6-9.8 ft.
  • Native habitat Forests, savannahs, grasslands, shrublands, and rocky areas of Sub-Saharan Africa
  • DietSmall vertebrates, such as birds, rodents, bats, and other snakes
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