Mambas are slender, fast moving African climbing snakes that are primarily active during the day. They have a narrow hood, similar to that of the cobras but smaller, which they display when agitated.
The largest and most notorious mamba is the black mamba Dendroaspis polylepis, which is the world's fastest snake. Black mambas course through savannas, forests, farmland, swamps, and broken terrain with their head held above the ground as they move. They frequent termite mounds, and live in well defined territories. If cornered, they react with aggression and courage, although they will flee if given a chance. They will strike repeatedly and rapidly at their attackers. It is estimated that black mamba bites are always fatal without medical treatment.
Mamba species are listed in the table below. The default species from the main table is the black mamba.
Species | Typical venom | Size | Range | Habitat | Notes | ||
Potency | Type | Typical | Maximum | ||||
Black mamba, D. polylepis | intense | neuro 10 cardio 10 | 1 kg | 4 kg | Sahel and east Africa | Savanna, forest, swamps, rokcy slopes, fields. | Fastest snake on Earth. Most terrestrial of the mambas. Very long and slender; olive, brown, gray, or khaki colored. |
Eastern green mamba, D. angusticeps | medium | neuro 10 cardio 10 | 200 g | 500 g | East coast of central and southern Africa | Forest, scrub, brushland, plantations, orchards. | Usually found up in trees. Very long and slender. Bright green. |
Western green mamba, D. viridis | strong | neuro 10 cardio 10 | 500 g | 1.5 kg | West African coast from Senegal to Nigeria | Jungle, thickets, forest. | Frequently found up trees. Very long and slender. Green or yellow scales outlined by black. |
Jameson's mamba, D. jamesoni | medium | neuro 10 cardio 5 | 200 g | 1 kg | Central Africa. | Jungle, thickets, forest. Occasionally in park trees or up buildings. | Very long and slender. Almost always found up trees or in bushes. Green or yellow scales outlined by black. |