Facts About Black Mambas 04

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The black mamba is Africa’s longest species of venomous snake, commonly growing to twelve foot in length but specimens of fifteen foot have been reported as well. When hunting for food it searches on the ground or in trees for small mammals, birds and reptiles. The Black Mamba is chiefly an ambush predator but it also has been recorded as hunting partly by pursuit, stalking its prey over some distance and a large chameleon presents a suitable meal.
Besides being Africa’s most feared snake, this elusive predator chooses its prey carefully. Yet, the approaching storm poses the risk of being knocked to the ground which might result in an injury. The black mamba prefers to retreat without feeding on the chameleon but climbing safely down the tree during such heavy wind becomes a true challenge even for this partly arboreal snake which usually has little difficulties hunting after fast moving prey above the ground.
The Jameson’s Mamba is an arboreal and highly venomous elapid endemic to Africa. Birds make up a large portion of their diet and the fast acting neurotoxic venom will kill the prey within minutes. Regardless, these highly agile mambas often hold on to birds to avoid their escape.
The Jameson's mamba occurs mostly in Central and West Africa, and in parts of East Africa. It is capable of flattening its neck cobra like when threatened and its body shape and length give its an ability to strike at significant range. Snakes are extremely vulnerable during feeding and prefer to be undisturbed. In this never before seen footage, the Mamba even pins the other bird chick against the wall, while devouring its prey. To record such rare wildlife behavior is quite remarkable indeed.
Mambas are opportunistic feeders and the second chick in the nest remains an easy meal which won’t be ignored for long. Jameson’s Mambas are typically not aggressive towards humans and will try to escape when approached. But its neurotoxic venom includes cardiotoxins, hemotoxins and myotoxins. A deadly venom combination for any human. An untreated envenomation may cause death within an hour. The mortality rate of untreated bites is said to be extremely high. Facts About Mambas was filmed by Heiko Kiera aka Ojatro.