Their defensive behavior is their most distinctive behavioral characteristic. She said that they are “shy and secretive snakes that prefer to escape confrontation.” Nevertheless, “black mambas can become highly aggressive if threatened.

Black mambas are sometimes found in pairs or small groups, though Viernum emphasized their fundamental shyness. According to Widescreen’s ARKive Initiative, they are often seen “basking in the branches of a tree in the early morning” before going hunting. However, according to National Geographic, black mambas use their incredible speed to escape threats, not to hunt.īlack mambas hunt and are active during the day and return to the same place every night to sleep. The black mamba racing along with its head nearly 4 feet (1.2 m) in the air is a terrifying and amazing sight. They slither quickly in short bursts over level ground, and can zoom along with about one-third of their bodies off the ground and their heads proudly held high. Over longer distances, they average about 7 mph (11 kph). ” This is undoubtedly fast, but still slower than the myths of them outrunning horses would suggest. Viernum said, “Black mambas are one of the fastest species of snakes, reaching slithering speed up to 12 mph.

These speedy serpents can move faster than most people can run, a fact that partly explains why they are so feared.

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