1. The Black Mamba
Nichole Fields
(Dendroaspis polylepis)
Biology 101
Professor Robert Swatski (Grall, n.d)

2. Dendroaspis polylepis
also known as the Black
Mamba is the world’s
fastest snake, and it is
also one of the most
venomous (“Black
Mamba Snakes” 1). The
reptile has an average
lifespan in the wild of
eleven years or more
(“Black Mamba Snakes”
1). The snake can reach
heights up to fourteen
feet, and can weigh up
to three and a half
pounds (“Black Mamba
Snakes” 1).
(Hargis, 2009)

3. (Kibuyu , 1986)
The snake is not black at all, but instead a grey to olive
tone (“Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis” 1). Its name
refers to the black color in its mouth that it displays as a
defense mechanism when threatened (“Black Mamba
Dendroaspis polylepis” 1).

4. (Vasenka, 2010)
The Black Mamba is a diurnal snake that hunts actively during the day,
uses venom to paralyze its prey (Black Mamba Snakes 1). The snake
spends its nights in holes in the ground, and if it is left undisturbed,
it will remain living in the same lair for a long period of time
(Black Mamba Snakes 1).

5. The carnivorous snake
feeds on rodents, bats,
small mammals, birds, and
lizards. The snake is able to
swallow its prey whole,
and digest it within a few
hours, unlike some other snakes.
(Arensmeier, 2007)

6. Its breeding takes place in the late spring to early summer, and after
mating the male returns to its own lair (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).
The female will then lay between 10 to 25 eggs (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).
The female’s nest usually consists of decomposing vegetation, which gives
off heat to keep the eggs warm, and speeds up the hatching time
(“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). The egg shell allows water and oxygen through
to reach the developing embryos (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).
(Coomber, 2008)

7. The Black Mamba’s habitat
ranges from Eastern Africa
in southern Ethiopia to
Southwest Africa (“Black
Mamba Snakes” 1).
Newport Geographic

8. The Black Mamba dwells in the savannas and rocky hills of
southern and eastern Africa (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). It
spends its nights in burrows, or deep among rocks and timber
(“Black Mamba Snakes” 1). The cold blooded snake relies on
external heat to maintain its body temperature, so it basks in
the sun during the day on low tree branches and rocks (“Black
Mamba Snakes” 1).
(O. Taillon, 2005)

9. The world’s fastest snake, the Black Mamba, can travel
speeds up to 12.5 miles per hour (“Black Mamba Snakes”
1). This speed is normally not used to hunt prey, but to
escape danger (“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).
( Jaszlics, 2008)

10. The Black Mamba is shy in nature, and will
usually try to escape if it is confronted
(Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis 1).
However, if the snake is threatened it will
raise its head up, spreading its cobra like-
neck flap open (Black Mamba Dendroaspis
polylepis 1). It will then display its black
colored mouth, and hiss (Black Mamba
Dendroaspis polylepis 1). The snake then
strikes repeatedly injecting large amounts
of potent neuro- and cardio toxin with
each strike (Black Mamba Dendroaspis
polylepis). The Black Mamba has the
ability to lift a third of its body off the
ground to attack if needed (Black Mamba
Dendroaspis polylepis).
(Sloss, n.d.)

11. The snake can deliver up to
400 milligrams of venom, but
only 10 to 15 milligrams is
needed to kill an adult human
(“Black Mamba Snakes” 1).
The venom is injected through
two hollow fangs, which remain
flat until the snake bites, and
movable mouth bones erect
them (“Black Mamba Snakes”
1).
(Leitenbauer, 2006)

12. The Black Mamba’s bite
is 100% fatal and can cause
death within 20 minutes
(“Black Mamba Dendroaspis
polylepis” 1).
(Patterson, n.d)

13. Symptoms Include:
Pain in the area bitten
Tingling sensation in the
extremities
Drooping eyelids(Eyelid Ptosis)
Tunnel Vision
Sweating
Excessive Salivation
Lack of Muscle Control
…………without medical
attention
the symptoms rapidly progress
to:
Convulsions
Respiratory Failure
Coma
And death due to suffocation
from paralysis
(“Black Mamba Snake” 1)
(Brad, 2008)

14. The Black Mamba is a fast, highly aggressive, and lethally venomous
snake when it is threatened. The snake has been blamed for numerous
human deaths, and has become more than an African myth, but a legend
based on its capabilities as the world’s deadliest snake.

15. National Geographic’s
Black Mamba vs. Animal Kingdom
May 15,2009

17. The Jeff Corwin Experience
Black Mamba Clip
May 29, 2010

19. Works Cited
“Black Mamba Snakes.” Animal Corner. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.
<http://animalcorner.co.uk/ven_snakesblkmambahtml-.Tov
Ibscy16E.email/>.
“Black Mamba.” Animals Nat Geo Wild. National Geographic.com.
Web. 4 Oct. 2011.
<http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/>.

20. Works Cited: Video
“Black Mamba vs. Animal Kingdom.” 15 May 2008. YouTube.
Web. 25 Nov. 2011.
“Jeff Corwin black mamba clip.” 29 May 2010. YouTube. Web.
25 Nov. 2011.

21. Works Cited: Images
A. Jaszlics. “The Black Mamba.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 4 Nov. 2008.
Web. 25 Nov. 2011.
Arensmeirer, Tad. “Black Mamba Swallowing.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo.
27 March 2007. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.
Brad. “Black Mamba.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 16 July 2008. Web. 25
Nov. 2011.
Coomber, Daniel. “Black Mamba.” Flickr. Yahoo. 11 Aug. 2008. Web. 25
Nov. 2011.
Hargis, Atlee. “IMG 0928.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 8 April 2009.
Web. 25 Nov. 2011.
Kibuyu. “Dendroaspis polylepis.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 1986. Web.
25 Nov. 2011.

22. Works Cited: Images (cont.)
Leitenbauer, Guenter. “Black Mamba(Dendroaspis polylepis).”
Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 12 Aug. 2006. Web. 25 Nov. 2011.
O. Taillon. “African savanna.” Photograph. Flickr.Yahoo. 24 July 2005.
Web. 25 Nov. 2011.
Sloss, Warwick. “Austin Stevens handles a black mamba in the
Namibian Desert.” Photograph. Warwick Sloss. n.d. Web. 25 Nov.
2011.
Vasenka. “Black Mamba.” Photograph. Flickr. Yahoo. 2 July 2010.
Web. 25 Nov. 2011.