BLACK

Length: Adults average 2,4–3 m but may reach 4,5 m.

Scale count: There are 23–25 rows of smooth dorsal scales at midbody (rarely 21 rows), 248–281 ventrals and 109–132 paired subcaudals. The anal shield is divided. There are 7–10 upper labials, with the 4th (or 3rd and 4th) entering the eye, and 11–13 lower labials (sometimes 10 or 14). There are 3 (sometimes 4) preoculars and 3 or 4 (sometimes 2 or 5) postoculars. Temporals are variable, usually 2 + 3.

Colour: The common name is confusing, as this is rarely black. Juveniles are light grey to olive, darkening with age to olive green, dark olive, greyish brown or gunmetal grey, with darker posterior mottling that may form oblique bars. The name is derived from the colour of the inside of the mouth, which is an inky black.

Preferred habitat: Termite mounds, hollow tree trunks, deserted ant bear or porcupine burrows, rock crevices and granite hillocks in both dry and moist , and in lowland forest.

Habits: A graceful, alert and unpredictable snake with deadly venom. It is southern Africa’s largest . The Black Mamba is active during the day, when it hunts for food. Hunting is usually done from a permanent lair to which it will return regularly if not disturbed. It is also very fond of basking and will return to the same site daily. If it senses danger, it is quick to slither away into dense undergrowth or to disappear down the nearest hole. Equally at home in trees and on the ground, it seems to favour the ground. It is a large snake and can move comfortably with as much as one third of its body off the ground. The Black Mamba seldom permits a close approach (within 40 m). If cornered or threatened, it will gape, exposing the black inner lining of its mouth, and will spread a narrow hood while waving the tongue slowly up and down. Any sudden movement at this stage will be met with a series of rapid strikes, often with fatal results.

The so-called ‘Crested Serpent’ of urban legend was probably a large black mamba that did not shed its skin properly, giving the impression of a crest. This snake supposedly moves very quickly through long grass, its crest emitting a whistling sound while it moves.

Similar : People tend to mistake any grey, brown or black snake for the Black Mamba. It may be confused with the larger , female Boomslang (Dispholidus typus), Mole Snake (Pseudaspis cana), Olive House Snake (Lamprophis inornatus) and some of the grass or sand .

Enemies: of prey and other snakes. Juvenile Black are extremely nervous and are seldom seen. They grow rapidly and can reach 2 m within a year. Adults have very few enemies.

Food and feeding: Actively hunts , squirrels, (Procavia capensis) and other suitably sized mammals, as well as fledgling birds and other snakes. A large specimen has even been recorded eating a young blue duiker (Philantomba monticola). Black Mambas prefer warm-blooded prey. The prey is usually bitten once or twice and quickly succumbs to the potent venom.

Reproduction: Oviparous, laying 6–17 eggs (63–91 x 29–35 mm) in summer. The young measure 40– 60 cm when they hatch, and grow rapidly, especially in the first year, after which they may reach a length of 2 m. Juveniles are perfect replicas of the adults and are deadly. Males often engage in combat in the spring, twisting around one another in an attempt to wrestle their opponent to the ground.

Danger to man: This is one of the deadliest snakes in the world. It has plenty of potent venom and the ability to inject large quan-tities in a single bite. Because of its length, it may also bite at chest height. Venom: A potent neurotoxic venom that is absorbed rapidly by the body’s tissues. It is responsible primarily for paralysis of nerves, especially those that control breathing and heart rate. The victim experiences increasing difficulty in breathing and eventually suffocates to death. This may take 6–15 hours and is much quicker in serious cases. Large quantities of intravenous may be required to save the victim’s life. First-aid procedures: See first-aid treatment on page 42.

Information courtesy of A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa, written by Johan Marais and published by Random House Struik. For more information visit www.reptileventures.com