Black Mamba
Dendroaspis polylepis
Dangerous: medical emergency
If there is a snake in front of you right now
Move away and take children and pets with you. Do not try to catch or kill it. Then call a snake remover. That is the right response for every snake, harmless or not, so there is no need to identify it first.
🔍 Enlarge How to recognise it
Not black at all: gunmetal grey to olive-brown, long and slender, with a narrow coffin-shaped head. The name comes from the inky black inside of its mouth.
Present in the Durban area, though seldom seen. Its reputation for aggression is overstated: it is shy and its first choice is always to get away. Nearly every bite happens when someone corners one, tries to kill it, or handles it. Give it a clear route out and it will take it. If one is in your yard, keep everyone well back and call a remover immediately.
Seen in Manor Gardens
Nobody has logged a Black Mamba here yet. If you spot one, you will be the first on the record.
