Black mamba
Dendroaspis polylepis
The black mamba , also called the common black mamba or black-mouthed mamba, is a highly venomous snake of the genus ''Dendroaspis'' , and is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. It was first described in 1864 by Albert Günther. It is the longest species of venomous snake in Africa, and the second-longest venomous snake in the world after the king cobra. It is also the fastest moving snake in Africa, and one of the fastest moving snakes on the planet, perhaps the fastest, capable of moving at 11 km/h over a distance of 43 m .
The venom of the black mamba is highly toxic. Based on the median lethal dose values in mice, the black mamba LD50 is 0.28/0.32 mg/kg subcutaneous.Fry, Bryan, Deputy Director, Australian Venom Research Unit, University of Melbourne . . venomdoc.com. Retrieved October 14, 2013. Although there are other venomous snakes that exhibit higher LD50 toxicity scores, its venom is one of the most rapid-acting. 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 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. Without rapid and vigorous antivenom therapy, a bite from a black mamba is rapidly fatal almost 100% of the time. One herpetologist called this species "death incarnate", and to South African locals the black mamba bite is known as the "kiss of death".
The black mamba is considered the most dangerous and feared snake in Africa, though the ocellated carpet viper is responsible for more human fatalities due to snakebite than all other African species combined. According to wildlife biologist Joe Wasilewski, black mambas are the most-advanced of all the snake species in the world. Their venom apparatus and method of delivering venom is also probably the most-effective and most-evolved among all venomous snakes. Its combination of speed, unpredictable aggression, and potent venom make it an extremely dangerous species. Though the black mamba has a reputation for being very aggressive, like most snakes it usually attempts to flee from humans unless threatened.
Many experts regard the black mamba and the coastal taipan as the world's most dangerous snakes.
The venom of the black mamba is highly toxic. Based on the median lethal dose values in mice, the black mamba LD50 is 0.28/0.32 mg/kg subcutaneous.Fry, Bryan, Deputy Director, Australian Venom Research Unit, University of Melbourne . . venomdoc.com. Retrieved October 14, 2013. Although there are other venomous snakes that exhibit higher LD50 toxicity scores, its venom is one of the most rapid-acting. 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 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. Without rapid and vigorous antivenom therapy, a bite from a black mamba is rapidly fatal almost 100% of the time. One herpetologist called this species "death incarnate", and to South African locals the black mamba bite is known as the "kiss of death".
The black mamba is considered the most dangerous and feared snake in Africa, though the ocellated carpet viper is responsible for more human fatalities due to snakebite than all other African species combined. According to wildlife biologist Joe Wasilewski, black mambas are the most-advanced of all the snake species in the world. Their venom apparatus and method of delivering venom is also probably the most-effective and most-evolved among all venomous snakes. Its combination of speed, unpredictable aggression, and potent venom make it an extremely dangerous species. Though the black mamba has a reputation for being very aggressive, like most snakes it usually attempts to flee from humans unless threatened.
Many experts regard the black mamba and the coastal taipan as the world's most dangerous snakes.