THE black mamba is probably the most feared and revered reptile in Africa and for good reason, however they are not the monsters that most TV shows make them out to be.
Identification: Uniform grey/brown snake with a slightly lighter coloured belly, frequently exceeding 2,5 metres in length.
They get their name from the inky black colour inside the mouth. They gape with their mouths open and hiss when threatened, from this point they will bite if their attacker does not heed their warning.
Favourite food: Rats and other small mammals and birds.
Habits: This snake is not very common in the Durban South area. The black mamba is a fast-growing snake, often exceeding two metres within the first year of its life. For this reason most individuals that are encountered are already in excess of two metres in length. Juveniles are rarely seen.
These snakes are not as fearsome as they are made out to be. They do not go out of their way to attack humans, instead they will always choose to escape if given the opportunity.
Venom: The black mamba has a potent neurotoxic venom which causes nerve paralysis, specially of the respiratory system. Patient must be kept calm and transported to hospital immediately. If your pet gets bitten, transport them to your nearest veterinarian asap.
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