What is Black mamba?
{{confused|Black Mamba (drug)}} {{Taxobox | name = Black mamba | status = lc | status_system = iucn3.1 | status_ref = <ref name='ICUN'>[http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/177584/all ''Dendroaspis polylepis'']{{Dead link|date=September 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at the [[IUCN Red List]]</ref> | image = Dendroaspis polylepis by Bill Love.jpg | image_caption = The black mamba | image_width = 200px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | classis = [[Sauropsida]] | ordo = [[Squamata]] | subordo = [[Serpentes]] | familia =[[Elapidae]] | genus = ''[[Dendroaspis]]'' | binomial = ''Dendroaspis polylepis'' | binomial_authority = Günther, 1864}} The '''black mamba''' (''Dendroaspis polylepis'') belongs to the [[Elapidae]] family of snakes. It is the second largest [[venomous snake]] in the world. An adult black mamba can grow up to {{convert|14|ft}} in length.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/black-mamba.html|title=National Geographic Mamba profile}}</ref> The black mamba's [[skin]] is not actually [[black]], it gets its name from the colour of the roof of its [[mouth]]. The black mamba lives in the south and the east of Africa. It is known around the world for its dangerous venom. It is very fast (it reaches speeds of 12 miles per hour) and can also climb very fast. The black mamba lives 10-11 years. == Habitat== Black mambas enjoy rock-covered hills, forested [[savannah]], and woods with rocks and fallen trees to shelter them. They also can be found in hollow trees and in [[termite]] mounds. If the black mamba is not disturbed, it will come back to a certain home all its life. They are typically found in [[subsaharan]] places in parts of south and east [[Africa]]. They can be found as far north as [[Eritrea]], and as far west as [[Namibia]], and in [[South Africa]]. == Prey == Black mambas eat small mammals like rodents, squirrels and [[bushbaby|bush babies]]. Sometimes they eat birds. They bite once or twice and then wait for their prey to become paraly