Dendroaspis polylepis
A very
aggressive diurnal snake found in southern
africa. Notable for being the
fastest snake (capable of speeds 10-12 mph) and one of the most
poisonous snakes in the world.
These
snakes usually grow between 8 and 9 feet and contrary to their name, are not black. Rather, they are a greyish green or brown. the name comes from the colour of the inside of the
mouth which is prominently displayed when it is posturing in response to a
threat.
The snake, when it is angered (and it angers very easily), will take a position similar to that of a
cobra, with its head off the ground and opening a narrow
hood around its
head. The
black mamba usually strikes at the upper
body several times.
Symptoms from a bite appear in 10-15 minutes and the
average time from
bite to
death is four hours.
Idea for the node comes from the book The Power of One.
references: http://www.kingsnake.com/mamba/gener.html