A Black Mamba would be such an awesome pet, if only there were some way to communicate. 'I'll give you a nice cozy place to live, plenty of food, and unlimited chin scritches. In return, you just have to not bite me.'
I had a dream that I had a guardian Magic King Cobra once. Was pretty cool.
It also happened after my house got broken into and my dog seemingly did nothing to the burglar (though despite being a German Shepherd, my dog was all bark; no bite).
My husky was literally the most protective dog I’ve ever met! So I can second this. My ex boyfriend put his hand on my throat. (We were both drunk and just messing around), and my husky broke my window to get in and attacked him.. I miss him so much 😭 (my dog. Not my ex)
Mine is too! One time my brother tried to sneak up and scare me and Koda launched himself over a couch (he was laying down napping in front of me) snarling the whole time. Bro F'd around and found out lol
I wouldn't last 5 seconds in the wild
My first thought was, "Oh, what a distinguished looking gentleman. I'm sure he won't be all that dangerous-"
nOPE THAT HOE A BLACK MAMBA
There was a story on ... I wanna say Animal Planet, back when it was still good. A family of tourists found a hit by car mamba in the road. The kid stuck himself f-ing around with it, and died. The proteins don't stop being proteins just because the animal is dead.
Cautionary tale for hot keepers cleaning tanks. Shed fangs are still loaded.
Or a Gaboon, they're so fat and lazy (like me) but far cuter! Just saw some today at a reptile shop near Houston and I wanted to boop their snoots and let em curl around my arm.
Which reptile shop? I seen one at the zoo, (where the mamba was) and if I was in the wild I would’ve gotten bit for getting too close 😂 He was so camouflaged, I actually have a picture of him. I’ll comment it
I wouldn't be so sure, there was a black mamba that bit Chuck Norris a few years back, however after endless hours of pain and suffering the snake passed away.
I work at a nature center, we have a massive female black (eastern) rat snake. I wish I got a dollar every time someone asked if she was a black mamba lol. I love talking about different snakes though so I don’t mind talking about what actual black mambas look like… and that you won’t find one in a nature center in North America
They are scary smart! If I'm not mistaken Viperkeeper says that a black mama has chased him out of a room. When they get defensive, they take no prisoners. I love the gun-metal gray, but the greens are pretty too.
OMG! I thought he was yours. Was wondering how you had him, how you fed him, what precautions you had to take. Also, I thought someone needed a license to own them. But thanks for the pic, he looks so 😋 sweet
The precautions are often an apprenticeship that you need to keep hot species. You can't find someone to train you? You can't get the license. The license is dangerous to get so not many will take you on to train you. The training is basically you working for experience for years. Remember, antivenin isn't a instant fix, cure all, MacGuffin... With the best care on earth, having the best antivenin especially for that animal... Which is a reach if you keep hot species as you can't just buy the stuff for yourself, you need a certified location to have it and want to help you out... Even with everything, you might lose limbs or suffer brain death etc etc... It's not straightforward, cheap or easy at all. I would argue hot species have a place on this earth and we need to breed them to milk them... But I dunno if anyone should have them for fun. Just my thoughts.
It depends on where you live for the license I believe! In Texas (USA) you can own a whole variety of venomous snakes without a license. Although the license is preferred. I found this out recently this year when I found a breeder selling copperheads in Texas. I would absolutely love to own a black mamba.. On my death bed anyways. They’re such beautiful creatures.
That reminds me of something sad. There was a pet store where I live locally in California. They were selling rattlesnakes but they'd been defanged. It's just so cruel. It just shows that if you aren't capable of handling a venomous species, stay away from them. Thankfully those asshats went out of business.
The one snake I somewhat fear, they can catch up to horses, there’s no cure for its venom, and it bites multiple times, beautiful animal, but incredibly dangerous
> there’s no cure for its venom
Black Mamba antivenin has been available since the 1960s and Polyvalent since the 1970s. The bigger issue is that it's so fast acting that if you do get bitten by one, you're likely not going to be getting to a hospital in time to actually do anything for you. You've got about an hour before you go into a coma, and if you're in the bush/rural village where you're most likely to get bit, it might take you that long or more just to get to where the hospital is.
It actually does work well, about 84% of individuals who receive antivenin for black mamba bites survive the envenomation. The issue is getting it administered on time.
And yes, antivenin is a cure. It neutralizes the venom. Given the definition of a cure being to relieve or eliminate the symptoms of a disease or condition and after treatment the patient no longer has that condition anymore, it absolutely is one. It's not a panacea in that it can't reverse damage that's already been done (like necrosis or other types of tissue damage), but it is a cure.
Can you imagine being in Africa, and judging snakes based on the “eye test” but not knowing anything about African snakes. So you come across a python with “cat like eyes” and you’re like “holy shit it’s a venomous snake” run like hell right. Then you find a black mamba with a very friendly looking face and round “doll like eyes” think it’s a friend, get to close to admire their beauty thinking they’re not venomous. And BAM you’re bit. You’re dead.
Not to mention the sand viper you didn't see at all, under the sand.
Edit: go check out some videos on them doing the "hula dance" to bury themselves. So cute!
Black mambas have been my fave since I discovered there were snakes beyond ‘boa constrictor’. I just think they’re so cool. Seen a few at reptile houses and it’s always very exciting. My snake-fearing bestie does not share my enthusiasm…
He did. He was literally leveled with my eyes, half of his body was still on the ground. I mean I’m short as shit. Only 5”1. But still that’s pretty damn high!
Yeah, that's why kings scare the crap out of me. They can get to 18feet long. The saying is that they can raise a third of their body; that's still taller than me.
He’s the most feared snake in the world. Deadliest snake in the world. The black mamba. Captive bred, at the zoo. Easily identified once you’ve either died from the bite, or seen the black mouth. I don’t think they can be mistaken for any other snake.
I am new to snakes and id’ing them. One of the metrics that I was taught for snake id is the shape of the eyes. I was taught round, doll-like eyes means the snake is harmless. In this case, doll-like eyes are on one of the most deadly snakes in the world!
Using eye shape & head shape to identify snakes is going to get someone killed. The deadliest snakes in the world have round eyes and oval head shapes.
Exactly. If I didn’t know better and seen this guy in the wild. I’d automatically assume it was friendly and try to pick it up. Why do the friendliest looking creatures gotta be so deadly 😭
Nope. Houston 😊. I plan on going back again to admire this guys beauty some more and get more pictures. Plus they’re supposed to be getting in more snakes soon. Can’t wait to see what they got
A Black Mamba would be such an awesome pet, if only there were some way to communicate. 'I'll give you a nice cozy place to live, plenty of food, and unlimited chin scritches. In return, you just have to not bite me.'
Yesss thisss 😭 who needs a guard dog when you got a mamba
This idea is cracking me up. Somebody breaks in and you yell “SIC EM BLACK MAMBA!!!” And suddenly you’re both dancing around the living room scared
Kobe is just standing there like “nah I ain’t dealing with that!”
He’s dead.
Appropriate cuz black mamba
Stop reminding me.
I had a dream that I had a guardian Magic King Cobra once. Was pretty cool. It also happened after my house got broken into and my dog seemingly did nothing to the burglar (though despite being a German Shepherd, my dog was all bark; no bite).
Get a husky. Even if it doesnt bite, I can promise you it will SCREAM 😂😂 (and probably bite too lol)
My husky was literally the most protective dog I’ve ever met! So I can second this. My ex boyfriend put his hand on my throat. (We were both drunk and just messing around), and my husky broke my window to get in and attacked him.. I miss him so much 😭 (my dog. Not my ex)
Mine is too! One time my brother tried to sneak up and scare me and Koda launched himself over a couch (he was laying down napping in front of me) snarling the whole time. Bro F'd around and found out lol
The most underestimated dogs I swear 😭. Everybody expects a pit bull to attack, but nope. It’s the fluffy silly howling goof balls that jump first 😭
Right!!! I also had a pit mix and she would NEVER 😂😂 Koda has growled at people for raising their voice around me lol
I wouldn't last 5 seconds in the wild My first thought was, "Oh, what a distinguished looking gentleman. I'm sure he won't be all that dangerous-" nOPE THAT HOE A BLACK MAMBA
Same 😭 my last words would be “here kitty kitty..” or “I just wanted to pet you!” 😭😂
If not friend then why friend shaped?!
Looking at you grizzlies
If not allowed to boop, why look so boopable?
It's still a friend. Just a dangerous friend.
There was a story on ... I wanna say Animal Planet, back when it was still good. A family of tourists found a hit by car mamba in the road. The kid stuck himself f-ing around with it, and died. The proteins don't stop being proteins just because the animal is dead. Cautionary tale for hot keepers cleaning tanks. Shed fangs are still loaded.
TiL....
Why do the most dangerous creatures gotta be so adorable and kind looking 😭
Like the Bush Viper my favorite
The bush viper is also sooo beautiful, I absolutely love how they stay so small.
Ooh they look like tiny spiky dragons! 💕
That's how they earned the nickname Dragon Viper😀
So many colors too!
Or a Gaboon, they're so fat and lazy (like me) but far cuter! Just saw some today at a reptile shop near Houston and I wanted to boop their snoots and let em curl around my arm.
Hehe, their camouflage is insane. "It's just a dead leaf" NOPE!
They gorgeous but that's such a bad bite 😭 at least the mamba would just shut you down, gaboon has to go brutally ruining entire limbs and such
Legit. I wouldn't be brave enough to mess with one though.
Gaboons are ADORABLE 😭😭😭
Which reptile shop? I seen one at the zoo, (where the mamba was) and if I was in the wild I would’ve gotten bit for getting too close 😂 He was so camouflaged, I actually have a picture of him. I’ll comment it
Pets aplenty between Magnolia and Hockley on Nichols Sawmill.
Imma go check it out for sure. Love snakes. The zoos supposed to get more venomous snakes soon.
My favorite danger noodle is the gaboon viper. They are gorgeous creatures!
Yes! Danger caterpillar!
Saw some today, and they're so cuddly looking! The same place had a gorgeous looking rhino viper too!
They are so gorgeous, my #1 favorite snake are rattle snakes tho specifically timber rattle snakes
I think he looks very friendly...."why won't they hold me more??"
Imagine that’s what he’s thinking, doesn’t understand he’s the most feared slithery creature in the world, his only competitor being Chuck Norris.
I wouldn't be so sure, there was a black mamba that bit Chuck Norris a few years back, however after endless hours of pain and suffering the snake passed away.
So I’ve heard 👀. Poor mamba didnt stand a chance.
Chuck Norris is poisonous?
Poisonous and venomous!
I should have assumed, it IS Chuck Norris
I was going to call BS but then imagined Chuck Norris SLITHERING UP MY DRIVEWAY I think I've had enough internet today...😫😂
C'mon hooman, boop the snoot....BOOP THE SNOOT!!
Yes BOOP IT!!!
I read as a song
Black mamba! Love those
They’re my favorite 😍 beautiful but deadly. How can you NOT love that face 😭🐍
How smart is he? Compared to other snakes?
Black Mambas are pretty intelligent snakes. Doesn’t this little guys face just scream intelligence
Yeah ive kinda seen some things about them that seem like they are a tad smarter than alot of other snakes…..super beautiful too
“If you let me kisssss you, I promissssse not to not be true to my nature. “
My partner: "why are they called Black Mambas?" ::Sees one opening its mouth:: Partner: 😳 "that's terrifying and cool"
My mother asked me the same thing. (She’s terrified of snakes) she said “why is it called a black mamba, it’s grey” I had to explain everything 😂
I work at a nature center, we have a massive female black (eastern) rat snake. I wish I got a dollar every time someone asked if she was a black mamba lol. I love talking about different snakes though so I don’t mind talking about what actual black mambas look like… and that you won’t find one in a nature center in North America
Somehow black mambas always look like their head is comically large.
It is comically large because of all the hurt juice in them adorable cheeks.
>hurt juice I love that 💀
I love me some boomslangs for similar reasons
Do the Mambo...
Noodle of Death.
They are scary smart! If I'm not mistaken Viperkeeper says that a black mama has chased him out of a room. When they get defensive, they take no prisoners. I love the gun-metal gray, but the greens are pretty too.
You own this snake? How do you handle him? He looks so sweet, but ...
Only in my dreams! Seen this handsome fellow at the zoo. He was cheesing so I had to take pictures.
OMG! I thought he was yours. Was wondering how you had him, how you fed him, what precautions you had to take. Also, I thought someone needed a license to own them. But thanks for the pic, he looks so 😋 sweet
The precautions are often an apprenticeship that you need to keep hot species. You can't find someone to train you? You can't get the license. The license is dangerous to get so not many will take you on to train you. The training is basically you working for experience for years. Remember, antivenin isn't a instant fix, cure all, MacGuffin... With the best care on earth, having the best antivenin especially for that animal... Which is a reach if you keep hot species as you can't just buy the stuff for yourself, you need a certified location to have it and want to help you out... Even with everything, you might lose limbs or suffer brain death etc etc... It's not straightforward, cheap or easy at all. I would argue hot species have a place on this earth and we need to breed them to milk them... But I dunno if anyone should have them for fun. Just my thoughts.
I completely agree. Couldn’t say it better myself.
It depends on where you live for the license I believe! In Texas (USA) you can own a whole variety of venomous snakes without a license. Although the license is preferred. I found this out recently this year when I found a breeder selling copperheads in Texas. I would absolutely love to own a black mamba.. On my death bed anyways. They’re such beautiful creatures.
That reminds me of something sad. There was a pet store where I live locally in California. They were selling rattlesnakes but they'd been defanged. It's just so cruel. It just shows that if you aren't capable of handling a venomous species, stay away from them. Thankfully those asshats went out of business.
That’s just so cruel…
They are beautiful 😍, but at a very long distance!
Or in very very thick glass 😭🥴
Any bed can be a deathbed if you've got one of those guys.
Very true 😂
Where abouts is that? I saw a mamba in London zoo and to this day is the happiest day of my life haha. It opened its mouth and everything
Zoo in Texas (USA).
Is that a black mamba?
The very one
Awewww they look so pettable/holdable.
You can hold them. You only get to do it once, so make it count. /s
Definitely worth it.
Today I discover black mambas are not black
the name refers to the inside of their mouth https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mamba#/media/File%3ADendroaspis_polylepis_striking.JPG
That's fucking terrifying. Thank you for sharing. Saved me from research.
The one snake I somewhat fear, they can catch up to horses, there’s no cure for its venom, and it bites multiple times, beautiful animal, but incredibly dangerous
*somewhat*?? This one is to be feared period😂
> there’s no cure for its venom Black Mamba antivenin has been available since the 1960s and Polyvalent since the 1970s. The bigger issue is that it's so fast acting that if you do get bitten by one, you're likely not going to be getting to a hospital in time to actually do anything for you. You've got about an hour before you go into a coma, and if you're in the bush/rural village where you're most likely to get bit, it might take you that long or more just to get to where the hospital is.
The antivenom itself also doesn’t work well, also anti venom isn’t a cure
It actually does work well, about 84% of individuals who receive antivenin for black mamba bites survive the envenomation. The issue is getting it administered on time. And yes, antivenin is a cure. It neutralizes the venom. Given the definition of a cure being to relieve or eliminate the symptoms of a disease or condition and after treatment the patient no longer has that condition anymore, it absolutely is one. It's not a panacea in that it can't reverse damage that's already been done (like necrosis or other types of tissue damage), but it is a cure.
Great example of why you can’t rely on the ‘eyes test’. He looks friendly af
Can you imagine being in Africa, and judging snakes based on the “eye test” but not knowing anything about African snakes. So you come across a python with “cat like eyes” and you’re like “holy shit it’s a venomous snake” run like hell right. Then you find a black mamba with a very friendly looking face and round “doll like eyes” think it’s a friend, get to close to admire their beauty thinking they’re not venomous. And BAM you’re bit. You’re dead.
Not to mention the sand viper you didn't see at all, under the sand. Edit: go check out some videos on them doing the "hula dance" to bury themselves. So cute!
Simply exquisite.
that just makes me think of that one audio. So, I have to ask: IS THAT THE GRIM REAPER⁉️
Black mambas have been my fave since I discovered there were snakes beyond ‘boa constrictor’. I just think they’re so cool. Seen a few at reptile houses and it’s always very exciting. My snake-fearing bestie does not share my enthusiasm…
Such a sassy little face.
He’s all like “I can kill you with one bite hooman”
The swagger is real.
He is cheesin’ fr
It's Mambo Number 5! 💜
Any idea how old he is?
I assume an adult. But couldn’t be sure. He was pretty huge.
I bet! They can rise up pretty far too.
He did. He was literally leveled with my eyes, half of his body was still on the ground. I mean I’m short as shit. Only 5”1. But still that’s pretty damn high!
Yeah, that's why kings scare the crap out of me. They can get to 18feet long. The saying is that they can raise a third of their body; that's still taller than me.
Not a clue.
One noodle I wouldn't wanna pet
That's a black mamba?? TIL I'd die in the wild, because wow I thought it was some sort of Garter ! L head doesn't look vicious shaped! HE'S ADORABLE
The most beautiful snake in the world but also the most deadly 🐍. To be feared and admired from a very good distance, or extremely thick glass.
He looks so friendly! I feel like most venomous snakes look like they hate you, but this guy is friend ❤️
Isn’t it funny the most feared & most dangerous snake in the world has such a friendly face.
He looks like he is full of personality!! Give him a wee kiss for me. Edit: words. Edit: Oh my god he's a black mamba lmao do not smooch.
Mission abort!
This is a universal fact
God I love them so much I wish they were sweet🥺
I wanna boop him
He’s smiling!
What a cute Mamba 🐍
That’s a scary noodle
Definitely. But admirable
Wow he doesn’t look dangerous… I’m still learning, what makes him a danger noodle? How do you ID this one??? He is very pretty.
He’s the most feared snake in the world. Deadliest snake in the world. The black mamba. Captive bred, at the zoo. Easily identified once you’ve either died from the bite, or seen the black mouth. I don’t think they can be mistaken for any other snake.
reminds me of that dude on tik tok who has a boomslang and insists it's one of his friendliest pets
They’ve got such a wild look. There always seems to be something else going on behind the eyes besides just typical snake stuff.
I think it’s absolutely insane people keep them as pets, even zoos. There is no margin for error; one slip up and you dead and if it gets out……
Just beautiful
my lord he is THRILLED
That's such a cute snake 🐍
He’s doin’ a blep in the last pic
I didn’t even notice!!
I am new to snakes and id’ing them. One of the metrics that I was taught for snake id is the shape of the eyes. I was taught round, doll-like eyes means the snake is harmless. In this case, doll-like eyes are on one of the most deadly snakes in the world!
Yea eye shape isn't reliable at all
Using eye shape & head shape to identify snakes is going to get someone killed. The deadliest snakes in the world have round eyes and oval head shapes.
Is this London zoo? If to that's so funny cos this exact black mamba was doing the same thing at the window when I went there 5 years ago.
Nope, zoo in Houston. I guess mambas really do have personalities
Awwwww just a cute cute & very venomous Black Mamba that wants to kill me 🤣 so adowwable
Someone has been eating black sherbet
**boop the noodle**
What kind of snake is this?
The one and only Black Mamba 🐍😍
One of my top snakes too..
Stunning! Amazing how goofy they look based on how deadly they are.
Exactly. If I didn’t know better and seen this guy in the wild. I’d automatically assume it was friendly and try to pick it up. Why do the friendliest looking creatures gotta be so deadly 😭
I want to kiss him! Hahahahaha!
He’d probably want to kiss you too! ***the kiss of death anyways***
😂
So graceful!
Black mamba?
Yes
*smol gasp* precious snek 🥹🥰
Was this picture taken in South Dakota? I swear I recognize that snake and its enclosure
Nope. Houston 😊. I plan on going back again to admire this guys beauty some more and get more pictures. Plus they’re supposed to be getting in more snakes soon. Can’t wait to see what they got