Black Mamba: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Snakes · day 2 of 7

Five facts

1. The black mamba is not actually black. Its name comes from the inside of its mouth, which it shows when it feels threatened.
2. Among venomous snakes, only the king cobra is longer than the black mamba, which is the longest in Africa.
3. A black mamba can sprint at up to 16 km/h across open ground, though only in brief bursts.
4. On the ground it travels with head and neck held up. It hides in termite mounds, old burrows, rock cracks and holes in trees.
5. A female lays 6 to 17 eggs. The young may grow fast, reaching 2 m after their first year.

The quiz

1. Where does the black mamba's name come from?

• Its black scales
• The inside of its mouth (correct)
• Its black eyes
• Its night hunting

Its name refers to the dark inside of its mouth, which it shows when it feels threatened.

2. Which venomous snake is longer than the black mamba?

• The king cobra (correct)
• The Egyptian cobra
• The puff adder
• None, it is the longest

Among venomous snakes, only the king cobra is longer.

3. How fast can a black mamba sprint over open ground?

• Up to 60 km/h
• Up to 6 km/h
• Up to 100 km/h
• Up to 16 km/h (correct)

It can sprint at up to 16 km/h, though only for brief bursts.

4. Where does a black mamba shelter?

• In termite mounds, burrows and rock crevices (correct)
• In hollow logs only
• On the open sand
• In deep lakes

It shelters in termite mounds, old burrows, rock cracks and holes in trees.

5. How long can a young black mamba be after its first year?

• 20 cm
• 10 m
• 2 m (correct)
• 6 m

Hatchlings may grow quickly, reaching 2 m after their first year.

More about the Black Mamba

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries