Facts About Black Mambas 02

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Black mambas often prefer hunting near water, which attacks plenty of prey but it also attacks predators that might kill and feed on the black mamba itself.A hungry nile crocodile will not hesitate to kill the black mamba if giving a chance. Yet, it remains unknown if these powerful reptiles are immune to the black mamba’s neurotoxic venom.Juvenile crocodiles prefer to hunt smaller prey such as fish, reptiles and mammals.
Rats build a staple diet for young nile crocodiles in particular near villages or other human settlements.The crocodile’s attack chased the rodent away from the water and toward the black mamba. A swift bite will kill the rat in minutes but the commotion won’t remain unnoticed.
All snakes are extremely vulnerable during feeding, almost unable to defend themselves while devouring its prey whole. The time consuming ingestion and the scent of the cadaver will attack other predators in particular near water. The black mamba seems to be aware of the present danger and escapes just in time before the nile crocodiles are close enough to attack.
Hunting rodents underground is less dangerous for the black mamba. The black mamba’s neurotoxic venom kills the mouse in a few minutes but feeding on such meager prey begins already before death occurs. Mice are small and the mamba might continue searching the entire burrow and consume up to eight rodents during its visit. When finished feeding, the black mamba will not kill other occupants of the same burrow but it might remember its location and return when hungry again.
The most chilling facts are documented in reports on rogue black mambas. Snake expert C.P. Ionides wrote in his book “Mambas and Man-Eaters” that eight people were killed near Mtwara in South Tanzania. On March 7th 1954 Ionides captured a ten foot female basking in a tree near the village and sold it to the London zoo. No further death from snake bites have been reported since its capture.
Charles Pitman described yet another rogue black mamba incident in his book “Snakes of Uganda”, in which an aggressive black mamba began chasing after life stock and eventually killing eleven villagers in Northern Rhodesia within a year.
A large black mamba pursued two wildlife filmmakers in Tanzania in 2010. The frightened men escaped into their vehicle and to everyone’s surprise the agitated black mamba even attacked the car to gain entry before the vehicle drove away.
Reports on rogue black mambas are rare but they do occur occasionally just like individual king cobras that chase and kill forest workers in Asia, while passing through its territory during matting season. Local authorities posted warning signs in specific areas to avoid fatalities.