The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is found across sub-saharan Africa and is one of the continent's most well-known venomous snakes.
A misleading name
Despite the name, a black mamba's body isn't black at all — it's typically olive, gray, or brown. The name actually comes from the strikingly dark, almost black interior of its mouth, which it displays as a warning when threatened.
Fast and alert, but not looking for a fight
Black mambas are quick, agile snakes, capable of moving fast across open ground and climbing well despite spending most of their time at ground level. Their usual response to a threat is to escape rather than confront it. When cornered and seriously threatened, a black mamba will raise its head, open its dark mouth wide, and strike defensively — but this is very much a last resort rather than its normal behavior.
A capable climber
While often thought of as a purely ground-dwelling snake, black mambas are also skilled climbers, sometimes hunting birds and other prey in trees and shrubs as well as on the ground.
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa · Length: Commonly 2–3 m, with exceptional individuals over 4 m · Diet: Small mammals and birds · Venom: Neurotoxic · Habitat: Savanna, rocky outcrops, and open woodland