Points

40

per confirmed sighting

ReptileConservation status: Least ConcernVery Rare to spot
reptiles • Elapidae

Black Mamba.

B

Dendroaspis polylepis

Category

reptiles

Family

Elapidae

Size

Maximum length is about 4.5 m; individuals longer than about 3.8 m are rare.

Points

40 pts

Log a sighting

A closer look

Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding black mamba in its natural range.

Overview

How to identify it

Habitat

Uses secure refuges such as holes in termite mounds and large rock crevices; The checked African Snakebite Institute species account does not provide a complete species-level habitat profile; no broader habitat preference is inferred from related taxa.

Diet

The checked African Snakebite Institute species account does not state a species-level prey list; no diet is inferred from related taxa.

Behaviour

When to look

Diurnal.

Where to see it

South Africa flagSouth AfricaNamibia flagNamibiaBotswana flagBotswanaZimbabwe flagZimbabweZambia flagZambiaMozambique flagMozambiqueEswatini flagEswatiniMalawi flagMalawiAngola flagAngola

Safety and etiquette

Observe from a safe distance and never handle or feed wildlife.

Verification and sources

1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.