Wikipedia

Black mamba: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
ClueBot (talk | contribs)
1,596,818 edits
Reverting possible vandalism by Special:Contributions/99.238.123.160 to version by 24.15.53.225. If this is a mistake, report it. Thanks, ClueBot. (75776) (Bot)
←Replaced page with 'BLACK MAMBAS HAVE BEEEN CALLED POOPIE HEADS THE BLACK MABAS KILLED THE PEOPLE WHO SAID IT.'
Line 1:
{{for|the comic book character|Black Mamba (comics)}}
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Black mamba
| image = Black Mamba 01.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]]
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
| subordo = [[Serpentes]]
| familia = [[Elapidae]]
| genus = ''[[Dendroaspis]]''
| species = '''''D. polylepis'''''
| binomial = ''Dendroaspis polylepis''
}}
 
The '''black mamba''' (''Dendroaspis polylepis'') is a [[venomous]] [[elapidae|elapid]] [[snake]]. It is the largest [[venomous snake]] in [[Africa]] and the second largest venomous snake in the world. Only the [[King Cobra]] is larger. Adult black mambas have an average length of 2.5 meters (8.2&nbsp;ft) and a maximum length of 4.5 meters (14&nbsp;ft).<ref name="snake">{{cite web|url=http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/black-mamba.html|title=National Geographic black mamba page|accessdate=2007-01-21}}</ref> The black mamba receives its name from the black coloration inside of its mouth, rather than their skin color which is a gray to olive tone. The black mamba is the fastest moving snake in the world, capable of moving up to 20&nbsp;km/h(12.5&nbsp;mph). However it uses this speed to evade danger, rather than catch prey.<ref name="snake">{{cite web|url=http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/black-mamba.html|title=National Geographic black mamba page|accessdate=2007-01-21}}</ref>
 
== Behavior ==
The Black Mamba is one of the deadliest snakes in the world. A single bite may inject enough venom to kill from 20-40 grown men, easily killing one unless the appropriate anti-venom is administered in time. When cornered, they will readily attack.<ref name="TLC">{{cite web|url=http://www.tlcafrica.com/tlc_snakes.htm|title=TLC site information on the black mamba|accessdate=2007-01-21}}</ref> In fact, many snake experts have cited the black mamba as the world's most aggressive snake, noting tendency to actively attack without provocation.<ref name="zoocheck">{{cite web|url=http://www.zoocheck.com/programs/exotic/venom/snake.shtml|title=(B. Johnson, July 13, 2000; Hunter, 1998) | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070403115947/http://www.zoocheck.com/programs/exotic/venom/snake.shtml | archivedate=2007-04-03 | accessdate=2007-10-22}}</ref> When in the striking position, the mamba flattens its neck, hisses very loudly and displays its inky black mouth and deadly fangs. It can rear up around one-third of its body from the ground<ref name="snake"/> which allows it to reach heights of approximately four feet (1.21 meters).<ref name="TLC"/> When warding off a threat, the black mamba usually delivers multiple strikes, injecting its potent neuro- and cardiotoxin with each strike, often attacking the body or head, unlike most other snakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snakebite-firstaid.com/facts.html|title=www.tlcafrica.com/tlc_snakes.htm|title=TLC site information on the black mamba|accessdate=2007-01-21}}</ref>
 
If left undisturbed, Black Mambas tend to live in their lairs for long periods of time, which are often vacated insect mounds or hollow trees. Black mambas are [[diurnal]] snakes that hunt prey actively day or night. When hunting small animals, the Black Mamba delivers a single deadly bite and backs off, waiting for the [[neurotoxin]] in its [[venom]] to paralyze the prey. When killing a bird, however, the Black Mamba will cling to its prey, preventing it from flying away.
 
== Venom ==
Black mambas are among the ten most venomous snakes in the world. With a [[LD50]] of 0.25-0.32&nbsp;mg/kg, the black mamba is 3 times as venomous as the [[Cape Cobra]], 5 times as venomous as the [[King cobra]] and about 40 times as venomous as the [[Gaboon viper]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingsnake.com/toxinology/LD50/ld50sc.html|title=LD50 - subcutaneous}}</ref> Black mamba venom contains powerful, rapid-acting [[neurotoxic|neurotoxins]] and [[cardiotoxic|cardiotoxins]], including [[calciseptine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/wildkingdom/blackmamba/facts/facts.html|title=Black mamba venom facts from Discovery.com|accessdate=2007-01-21}}</ref> Its bite delivers about 100-120&nbsp;mg of [[venom]] on average, however it can deliver up to 400&nbsp;mg of venom; 10 to 15&nbsp;mg is deadly to a human adult. The initial symptom of the bite is local pain in the bite area, although not as severe as snakes with [[hemotoxin]]s. The victim then experiences a tingling sensation in the extremities, drooping eyelids (eyelid [[ptosis]]), tunnel vision, sweating, excessive salivation, and lack of muscle control (specifically the mouth and tongue). If the victim does not receive medical attention, symptoms rapidly progress to nausea, shortness of breath, confusion, and paralysis. Eventually, the victim experiences [[convulsions]], respiratory failure, and [[coma]], and dies due to suffocation resulting from paralysis of the muscles used for breathing. Without treatment the mortality rate is 100%,<ref name="snake"/> the highest among all venomous snakes in the world.
== Lifestyle ==
Black mambas live primarily in various part of Africa and, though not considered an [[arboreal]] species, can live in bushes and small trees. Its diet consists mainly of small birds and rodents and, despite the negative reputation, it plays a crucial role in regulating pests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol9/iss3/art4/table5.html|title=Ecology and society|accessdate=2007-01-21}}</ref>
 
== Breeding ==
Breeding usually takes place in late spring or early summer. After mating the male will return back to its own home. The female will then lay between 10 and 25 eggs. The offspring are independent as soon as they are born and can capture prey the size of a rat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/animal_facts/black_mamba.html|title=Facts on the black mamba|accessdate=2007-01-21}}</ref>
 
== Cultural references ==
* [[John Godey]]'s novel 'The Snake' deals with a black mamba loose in New York's [[Central Park]].
* The [[Air Jordan]] XIX (19) basketball shoe's design was inspired by the black mamba.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sneakerhead.com/nike-air-jordan-history-p2.html|title=Air Jordan facts|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref>
* [[Uma Thurman|Uma Thurman's]] character [[Beatrix Kiddo]] in the ''[[Kill Bill]]'' movie series has the [[codename]] "Black Mamba" - all [[Deadly Viper Assassination Squad|DiVAs]] members have snake codenames. The character of Budd was killed by a black mamba planted in a suitcase full of money. As he lies dying, [[Elle Driver]], the one responsible for planting the snake, reads to him a compilation of facts about the snake's venom, similar to the information listed above.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0378194/|title=IMDb - Kill Bill: Vol. 2|accessdate=2007-10-22}}</ref>
* The 1982 British horror film "Venom" (starring Klaus Kinski) featured a black mamba, delivered to a young boy by mistake, and set loose in his house just as a kidnap plot went awry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Venom-Klaus-Kinski/dp/B000096I9O|title=Information about the movie ''Venom''|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref>
* There is a Marvel Comics character named [[Black Mamba (comics)|Black Mamba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marvel.com/universe/Black_Mamba|title=Marvel cite about Black Mamba|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref>
* "Black Mamba" is also a name of a [[mecha]] from [[Heavy Gear]].
* [[Kobe Bryant]] of the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] is nicknamed "Black Mamba".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lufkindailynews.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/01/7/stallard.html|title=Information about sport nicknames|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref>
* "Black Mamba" is the title of a song by the [[rock band]] [[The Academy Is...]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/The+Academy+Is.../_/Black+Mamba|title=Song by The Academy is titled Black Mamba|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref>
* "Black Mamba" is the name of an inverted coaster at the [[Phantasialand]], Nordrhein-Westfalen, [[Germany]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coasterforce.com/Black_Mamba|title=Information about black mamba coaster|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref>
* "Black Mamba" is the title of a song by [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] on their 1999 album ''J-Tull Dot Com''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/J-Tull-Dot-Com-Jethro-Tull/dp/B00000K1FC|title=Information about Jethro Tull album|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref>
* Mixed Martial Arts fighter Kultar Gill goes by his nackname, "The Black Mamba"
* "The Black Mamba" was the nickname used by Roger Mayweather (uncle and trainer of Floyd Mayweather Jr.) during his days as a professional prizefighter.
*'Black Mamba' is also a a generic name in popular culture for a large black [[vibrator]] or [[dildo]], as seen in [[Red Dwarf]]
* [[Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab]], a purveyor of fine perfume oils, carries a Limited Edition blend called Faiza the Black Mamba.
* A black mamba sock puppet is seen occasionally on [[Wildboyz]]. The camera man would put it on, sneek up on someone, and slap them on the head.
* In the song "Sail Away", by Randy Newman, the absence of the mamba snake is one of the reasons why "it's great to be an American."
 
== See also ==
* [[Mamba]]
* [[Snake]]
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}
 
== External links ==
* [http://www.kingsnake.com/elapids/black_mamba.htm Richard Mastenbrok's Elapid Pages]
 
[[Category:Elapidae]]
 
[[bg:Черна мамба]]
[[cs:Mamba černá]]
[[da:Sort mamba]]
[[de:Schwarze Mamba]]
[[es:Dendroaspis polylepsis]]
[[fr:Mamba noir]]
[[it:Dendroaspis polylepis]]
[[lt:Juodoji mamba]]
[[hu:Fekete mamba]]
[[nl:Zwarte mamba]]
[[ja:ブラックマンバ]]
[[no:Svart mamba]]
[[pl:Mamba czarna]]
[[pt:Mamba-preta]]
[[sl:Črna mamba]]
[[fi:Mustamamba]]
[[sv:Svart mamba]]
[[ta:கருப்பு மாம்பா]]
[[tr:Kara mamba]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mamba"