What do black mamba snakes eat

They are important in controlling rodent populations FitzSimons The black mamba does not live in close interaction with other animals except when the mating season begins when it will travel in search of a mate. These snakes have also evolved a hood-like structure around its neck that can flare out when threatened, this behavior makes the snake appear much larger to its enemies. Its venom is extremely potent.

One of the more amazing adaptations that the back mamba, and all snakes for that matter, have, is the ability to move without legs!

Another recently discovered evolutionary trait that black mambas possess, which helps them move, are their scales. A study done at Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta in Georgia United States has shown that the scales on snakes have evolved to act like hooks to create more friction to help drive the snake forward.

The fear of this snake by humans has given rise to many myths among Africans about the deadly power of the snake. One such myth says that the black mamba has the ability to grab its tail, forming a loop with its body, roll down a hill and lash out and attack someone. Other myths show the mamba having exceptional intelligence, having the ability to plan attacks on humans and ambush them in cars when they reach their destinations. The other common myth is that it grows a feather on top of its head and will block the way for humans biting them on the encounter.

The mythical feathered mamba is called iNdlondlo in isiZulu. Dendroaspis polylepis has been assessed as Least Concern owing to its very large distribution throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

No specific threats have been reported and this species is not undergoing significant population declines Spawls While black mambas are not endangered in any way, they do face a future threat due to human expansion. They are nervous animals and prefer to stay far away from humans. Human population expansion into their habitat could cause considerable habitat destruction and conflicts with human interests FitzSimons People who encounter the snake are encourage to move away slowly and call a professional snake handler for removal if the snake is inside any building.

In South Africa there are two species of Dendroaspis namely D. Author: Simphiwe Dlamini E-mail: S. Dlamini sanbi. Skip to content. Home » Animal of the week » Black mamba. Oct 6, May 11, The deadliest and fastest snake in Africa! The death kisser. How to recognize a Black mamba Black mambas are known for their large size, quickness and extremely potent venom. Communicating They have no external ears, but are quite adept at detecting vibrations from the ground.

The species is regarded as common in sub-Saharan Africa, occurrence in Senegal and Guinea has also been reported Spawls The black mamba is found in the northern regions of southern Africa.

Mambas are in the same family, Elapidae, as coral snakes and cobras. Mambas are slender, agile and active, with smooth scales and powerful venom. They all live throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

According to ITIS, the taxonomy of mambas is:. The other mamba species are all smaller and slightly less venomous than the black mamba, though still very poisonous. These snakes are all brilliant green. They are also all arboreal species, residing in trees.

They are known to drop from branches onto their prey below. All are solitary snakes. This is a slender snake that lives in trees and actively and speedily pursues its small animal prey during the day, according to the Cincinnati Zoo. It can grow up to 8 feet long 2. This is the smallest mamba, usually measuring about 6 or 7 feet 1. It is common in the forests throughout East Africa. It is the second-longest venomous snake in Africa, after the black mamba. Black Mamba.

Dendroaspis polylepis. Population size. Life Span. Photos with Black Mamba. Geography Continents. Sub-Saharan Africa. Biome Montane grasslands and shrublands. Tropical savanna. Tropical dry forest. Tropical moist forests. Climate zones Tropical. Habits and Lifestyle Black mambas are both terrestrial and arboreal creatures. Group name. Terrestrial, Arboreal, Precocial, Burrowing. Seasonal behavior. Not a migrant.

Diet and Nutrition Black mambas are carnivores and mostly prey on small vertebrates such as birds, particularly nestlings and fledglings, and small mammals like rodents, bats, hyraxes, and bushbabies. Diet Carnivore.

Population Trend. Least concern LC. Population Population threats There are no major threats to the Black mamba at present. Population number According to IUCN, the Black mamba is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Ecological niche Black mambas play a very important ecological role in their environment as they help to control populations of small rodents they prey on.

References 1. Included in Lists Reptiles of Somalia. Snakes of Mozambique.