<P> The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is an extremely venomous snake of the family Elapidae, and native to parts of sub-Saharan Africa . First described by Albert Günther in 1864, it is the longest species of venomous snake indigenous to the African continent; mature specimens generally exceed 2 meters (6.6 ft) and commonly attain 3 meters (10 ft). Specimens of 4.3 to 4.5 meters (14.1 to 14.8 ft) have been reported . Its skin colour varies from grey to dark brown . Juvenile black mambas tend to be paler than adults and darken with age . </P> <P> The black mamba inhabits savannah, woodlands, rocky slopes and, in some regions, dense forest . The black mamba is both terrestrial and arboreal . It is diurnal and is known to prey on hyrax, bushbabies and other small mammals, as well as birds . Over suitable surfaces, it is possibly the fastest species of snake, capable of at least 11 km / h (6.8 mph) over short distances . Adult mambas have few natural predators . </P> <P> In a threat display, the mamba usually opens its inky - black mouth, spreads its narrow neck - flap and sometimes hisses . It is capable of striking at considerable range and may occasionally deliver a series of bites in rapid succession . Its venom is primarily composed of potent neurotoxins that may cause a fast onset of symptoms . Despite its reputation as formidable and highly aggressive, it usually attempts to flee from humans unless threatened or cornered . The black mamba is rated as least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Endangered species . </P> <P> Although the black mamba had been known to missionaries and residents, before 1860, the first formal description was made by German - British zoologist Albert Günther in 1864 . A single specimen was one of many snake species collected by Dr John Kirk, a naturalist who accompanied Dr David Livingstone on the Second Zambesi expedition . The specific epithet polylepis is derived from the Ancient Greek poly (πολύ) meaning "many" and lepis (λεπίς) meaning "scale". The term "mamba" is derived from the Zulu word "imamba". A local Ngindo name in Tanzania is ndemalunyayo "grass - cutter" as it supposedly clips grass . </P>

How does a black mamba kill its prey