black mamba snake

Black mamba
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Dendroaspis
Species: D. polylepis
Binomial name
Dendroaspis polylepis
Range of the Black Mamba
The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is the longest venomous snake in Africa, averaging around 2.5 meters (8.2 ft), and sometimes growing up to 4.3 meters (14 ft).

Its name is derived from the black coloration inside the mouth; the actual color of the skin varies, from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal gray. It is the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.5 to 5.4 metres per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph).

The snake's scientific name is Dendroaspis polylepis: Dendroaspis meaning "tree asp" and Polylepis meaning "many scaled." The name "black mamba" is given to the snake not because of its body color but because of its ink-black mouth.[1] It displays this physical attribute when threatened.

The black mamba's back skin color is olive, brownish, gray, or sometimes khaki in color.[3] The adult black mamba's length is on average 2.5 meters (8.2 ft),[1] but some specimens have reached lengths of 4.3 to 4.5 meters (14 to 15 ft).[3] Black mambas weigh on average about 1.6 kilograms (3.5 lb).

The black mamba is the second longest venomous snake in the world, which is only exceeded in length by the king cobra.[3] The snake also has an average life span of 11 years in the wild
The black mamba has adapted to a variety of climates ranging from savanna, woodlands, rocky slopes, dense forests and even humid swamps of Africa.[4] The grassland and savanna woodland/shrubs that extend through central, eastern and southern Africa are the black mamba’s typical habitat.[4] The black mamba prefers more arid environments such as light woodland, rocky outcrops, and semi-arid dry bush country.