Black Mamba

DESCRIPTION:

Black Mamba adults average a length of 150 cm to 250 cm sometimes exceeding 300 cm. These are long and slender snakes, but large specimens can become relatively thick. Color varies from dark to light grey or grey-brown, darkening towards the tail. Adults may darken with age. Never black. There is often a feint barred pattern on the rear of the snake. The inside of the mouth is pitch black and is visible when these snake gape their mouths when feeling threatened.

HABITS & HABITAT:

Black Mamba’s are both terrestrial (ground-living) and arboreal (tree-living); it prefers hot savanna, woodland, rocky slopes but will occur in moister habitats and in some regions, dense forest. It is diurnal, very alert and will often take up residence in a favored hide (termite mound, rock outcrop, outbuilding) and remain there if undisturbed. If it detects a threat it will try to retreat into its hide or escape the area (if encountered on open ground). If provoked or cornered it will spread a narrow hood and gape the mouth showing the pitch black interior, and strike if the enemy is in range. It may bite a few times in rapid succession.

DISTRIBUTION:

The Black Mamba  is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa; its range includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Angola. The black mamba’s distribution in parts of West Africa has been disputed. In 1954, the black mamba was recorded in the Dakar region of Senegal. This observation, and a subsequent observation that identified a second specimen in the region in 1956, has not been confirmed and thus the snake’s distribution in this area is inconclusive.

VENOM:

The venom of the Black Mamba is potently neurotoxic, quick-acting and is a serious medical emergency.

SYMPTOMS:

The venom of the Black Mamba causes rapid paralysis, weakness, respiratory distress and death can follow. Mild to no pain but neurological symptoms include: Ptosis; Slurred Speech; Ataxia; Difficulty breathing and swallowing; Tingling in the face and especially the lips, Confusion, Nausea and vomiting; Thirst; Metallic taste in the mouth; Anxiety; General Weakness.

FIRST AID:

Apply a tourniquet above the bite site using a broad belt or an inflated blood-pressure cuff. Arrange for immediate transport to an advanced medical facility that offers antivenom and respiratory support. Medical staff must release the tourniquet very slowly ONLY AFTER the administration of antivenom has begun.

ANTIVENOM:

EchiTab-Plus-ICP – 4 to 10 vials.