How Fast Is Black Mamba?

Black mambas slither at 20 km/h — the fastest snake on Earth. They are highly alert, intelligent reptiles, and despite their fearsome reputation, they generally retreat from humans whenever possible. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, where they are increasingly threatened by habitat loss.

Black mambas are not actually black — their bodies are grey-brown. The 'black' refers to the inside of their mouth, which they display as a warning when threatened.

• Fastest snake on Earth
• 4× faster than walking pace