Meet Africa's Black Mamba
Its inky-black mouth and lightning-strike action make the Black Mamba the most feared snake in Africa. One bite from this snake, with its neurotoxic venom, will result in certain death in most instances.
With a fearsome reputation, Black Mambas have few natural predators. Most attacks come from the air via birds of prey. On the ground, honey badgers and mongooses are fierce competitors that seem to be resistant to the snake’s venom thanks to muscular receptors not binding to the neurotoxins.
This species of snake is the continent’s longest venomous snake with lengths of up to four meters. Their speed is also not something to sneer at with movement of close to 20 km/h. The Black Mamba has a healthy and thriving population, hence the reason for its conservation status regarded as ‘Least Concern’.
More reptiles and amphibians
The bright blue head of the male southern rock agama is a familiar sight on the rocky outcrops scattered across Africa. This is even more visible during mating season with the females a grey-brown colour.
The lakes, rivers, marshlands, and swamps of 26 African countries teem with the mighty Nile crocodile. And although most-suited to freshwater as the largest predator of this terrain, it has occasionally been spotted in brackish lakes and deltas.
Croaks from the African bullfrog can be heard from bodies of freshwater, tropical shrublands, and moist Savannah across the continent. Males and females use different sounds to attract each other, as well as indicate moments of distress.
Popular Parks Across Africa
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park lies in northeastern South Africa and is one of Africa’s largest game reserves with a high density of wildlife.
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is located in west Zimbabwe boasts grasslands and mopane woods that are home to a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians.
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is home to 114 large and small mammal species, more than 400 bird species, scores of reptiles, and even fish species.
Moremi Game Reserve
Moremi Game Reserve is located on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta in Botswana and borders the Chobe National Park.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park lies at base of Africa’s highest mountain, the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro and is home to diverse wildlife.