Least Concern Reptiles

Black Mamba

Dendroaspis polylepis

Highly venomous snake hunting small animals in African savannas and forests.

Scientific name	Dendroaspis polylepis
Swahili name	Mamba Mweusi
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Family	Elapidae
Size	Males: 2.5-3.2 meters, weighing approximately 1.6-2.0 kilograms; females: slightly smaller, about 2.0-2.5 meters, slightly lighter in weight

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How to identify

Body slender and flexible; dorsal color ranges from dark gray to dark brown, nearly black; inner mouth is black, hence the name 'Black Mamba'; head is narrow and elongated, eyes large with round pupils; tail is long and tapered

Habitat

Sparse woodland savanna, shrublands, forest edges, rocky areas, and near valleys

Diet

Carnivorous, primarily preys on small mammals, birds, and other reptiles

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day, especially more active at dawn and dusk

Where it lives

Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya and the Masai Mara region

How to spot it

Maintain a safe distance, observe its rapid movements and black mouth interior; more active at dawn and dusk, ideal for observation

Photography tips

Use a telephoto lens, avoid disturbing it; photograph in soft morning or evening light to capture its agile movements and features; prioritize safety and avoid close contact