The Fast but Timid Black Mamba

The black mamba is among the fastest snakes on land. A short burst is often estimated at about 15–19 km/h; popular stories of much higher speeds are exaggerated, and these figures should not be treated as a universal record for every situation. Its neurotoxic venom is extremely dangerous. At the same time, snakebite specialists describe the mamba as shy and elusive: it usually tries to escape and defends itself when startled, cornered, or blocked from retreating.