Species group · Reptiles

Mambas

WAnimals has 2 species of mamba, all in the family Elapidae.

2 species
1 family
43 countries
57 parks
Weight
30.8 kg
Length
1.5 m – 3 m
Lifespan
11 – 18 years

Ranges calculated from the entries that record the figure, not from all 2.

All 2 species of mambas on WAnimals

Each one has its own full entry. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Conservation status

2 Least Concern

No species documented in this group is genuinely at risk according to the IUCN, with the data available today.

See the global conservation status

Where they live

Recorded in 43 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

Where to see them

Did you know…

  • Entirely arboreal and very fast; for all its reputation it is less aggressive than the black mamba.

    From Green Mamba

  • Its bright green makes it practically invisible among the foliage, and most encounters with people happen when someone prunes a tree or picks fruit without having seen it.

    From Green Mamba

  • Unlike the black mamba, which is terrestrial and markedly defensive, this one is arboreal and shy: it flees through the canopy and only bites when cornered or handled.

    From Green Mamba

  • It is one of the fastest land snakes in the world, capable of short bursts of up to 20 km/h.

    From Black Mamba

  • It eats small mammals such as rodents and hyraxes, and birds.

    From Black Mamba

  • It is the longest venomous snake in Africa, with a documented record of 4.5 metres.

    From Black Mamba

Ecosystems

See every species group · Explore the species one by one