Michael D. Kern / Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) with mouth open and fangs exposed, captive, from Africa

James Brickell / Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis ) swimming in the Oliphants River, Houdspruit, South Africa

Rod Williams / Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) captive, from Southern Africa

Tony Phelps / Black mamba {Dendroaspis polylepis} Captive from KwaZuluNatal, South Africa.

LYNN M. STONE / Black mamba {Dendroaspis polylepis} captive

Tony Phelps / Black mamba {Dendroaspis polylepsis} Limpopo, South Afric

LYNN M. STONE / Black mamba {Dendroaspis polylepis} captive

Michael & Patricia Fogden / Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) portrait, largest venomous snake in Africa

LYNN M. STONE / Black mamba snake {Dendroaspis polylepis} captive

LYNN M. STONE / Black mamba snake {Dendroaspis polylepis} captive, from Africa

LYNN M. STONE / Black mamba snake {Dendroaspis polylepis} captive

Peter Blackwell / Black mamba, head raised {Dendroaspis polylepis} Kenya, Africa

Peter Blackwell / Black mamba {Dendroaspis polylepis} moving along brach in tree, Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa

Tony Phelps / Black mamba {Dendroaspis polylepis} South Africa