Before we get to the fun bit, we should note that black mambas are from Africa and inland
The black mamba inhabits a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa; its range includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, ...
Introducing the most venomous snake in the world and epic predator of the Australian outback! The inland taipan is otherwise known as the fierce snake or small scaled snake. They can be marvelled at in our Robert's Reptile House, right here at Australia Zoo.
Inland taipans are yellowish-brown and black, grow up to 6ft long on average, and are known for being placid snakes. But black mambas are grey and brown, grow up to 9.5ft on average, and are highly aggressive snakes.
Even more impressive, Australia is home to 20 of the 25 most venomous snakes in the world, including all of the top 11. The world's most venomous snake, the inland taipan is found nowhere else on Earth.
The saw-scaled viper, Echis carinatus, is considered the deadliest snake in the world, according to Britannica. This type of snake is said to be responsible for "more human deaths than all other snake species combined." The venom of the saw-scaled viper is not as lethal as other snakes, but it is far more aggressive.
The Venom Milk Off included the Tiger Snake, The King Brown Snake and the Coastal Taipan. All three snakes are known for being incredibly deadly, and the task had everyone's hearts racing as each snake was revealed from the bags.
Without treatment it can take 7 to 15 hours for a Black Mamba bite to kill you. The sooner a person is treated after the bite, the better his chances of survival. A Black Mamba antidote is administered where necessary, but some people may be allergic.
The black mamba is Africa's deadliest snake. Untreated, its bite has a fatality rate of 100 percent, making it a killer among killers on a continent where it is thought that nearly 20,000 people die of snake bites each year, and the residents of Swaziland in southern Africa have suffered losses for generations.
The taipan's venom is stronger, but the cobra's body is a lot bigger. If both snakes got bitten, they're both going to die. From that point, it's just a matter of which one expires quicker. With such a large body, the king cobra could last longer than the much smaller taipan.
The cobra family includes 30 species. To date, no cobra species have naturalised in Australia, but many could thrive in parts of Queensland if introduced. Cobras are highly prized by reptile keepers, but their venom can kill humans, and introduced populations would prey on native wildlife.
More than 80% of untreated Inland Taipan bites result in fatality, and this snake rarely bites without envenomation. If you get bitten by a fierce snake or an Inland Taipan, you need to seek medical treatment immediately.
Even more impressive, Australia is home to 20 of the 25 most venomous snakes in the world, including all of the top 11. The world's most venomous snake, the inland taipan is found nowhere else on Earth.
Over distance they slow down to 7 MPH (12 KPH). However, the average human run speed over distance is 6 MPH (10 KPH). Thus, you cant outrun a Black Mamba. Still, Black Mambas are extremely shy and will do everything they can to avoid people.
Stories of black mambas that chase and attack humans are common, but in fact the snakes generally avoid contact with humans. Most apparent cases of pursuit probably are examples of where witnesses have mistaken the snake's attempt to retreat to its lair when a human happens to be in the way.
Brown snake eagles are verified predators of adult black mambas, of up to at least 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in).
Ground Speed: 12 Miles Per Hour
Black mamba venom can kill an adult human in as little as 30 minutes. If a speed of 12 miles per hour doesn't sound too fast compared to the record-setting sidewinder rattlesnake, imagine a 14-foot-long snake barreling toward you at that speed.
This species is predominately terrestrial. However, as its name implies 'many scaled tree snake' the Black Mamba is able to climb on trees in order to hunt prey or in some occasions to seek refuge. Black Mambas have adapted to their habitat by their slithering movement and ability to climb trees.
As briefly touched on earlier, another interesting fact about the snake species regards average black mamba speed. Since the black mamba is commonly recognized as one of the fastest snakes in the world, the fact that it can reach speeds of up to 12 miles per hour shouldn't be shocking.
The largest black mamba snake ever recorded was found in South Africa and measured a staggering 14 feet in length. Black mambas can grow up to 14 feet in length, but the average size is around 8-9 feet, and they are known for their speed and agility and can move at speeds of up to 12.5 miles per hour.
South Australia
Sand dunes are common breeding grounds for snakes of this region. Most of the venomous tend to be in this area. This is because it receives large amounts of sun but at the same time allows for enough cover for protection. The Tiger snake is a species that represent South Australia.
The brown tree snake is not considered dangerous to people as it is weakly venomous and rear fanged.
In Australia, snakes sometimes slither into suburban backyards and homes. When the weather gets warm, they lounge in the sun. When it gets hot, they seek cool places: a wall crevice, under a refrigerator, under a barbecue grill, behind an air-conditioning unit.
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) may be the deadliest of all snakes, since scientists believe it to be responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined. Its venom, however, is lethal in less than 10 percent of untreated victims, but the snake's aggressiveness means it bites early and often.