MOST VENOMOUS SNAKE.

The feared Black Mamba is found throughout many parts of the African continent. They are known to be highly aggressive, and strike with deadly precision. They are also the fastest land snake in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 20km/h. These fearsome snakes can strike up to 12 times in a row. A single bite is capable of killing anywhere from 10-25 adults. The venom is a fast acting neurotoxin. Its bite delivers about 100–120 mg of venom, on average; however, it can deliver up to 400 mg. If the venom reaches a vein, 0.25 mg/kg is sufficient to kill a human in 50% of cases. The initial symptom of the bite is local pain in the bite area, although not as severe as snakes with hemotoxins. The victim then experiences a tingling sensation in the mouth and extremities, double vision, tunnel vision, severe confusion, fever, excessive salivation (including foaming of the mouth and nose) and pronounced ataxia (lack of muscle control). If the victim does not receive medical attention, symptoms rapidly progress to severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, pallor, shock, nephrotoxicity, cardio toxicity and paralysis. Eventually, the victim experiences convulsions, respiratory arrest, coma and then death. Without antivenin, the mortality rate is nearly 100%, among the highest of all venomous snakes. Depending on the nature of the bite, death can result at any time between 15 minutes and 3 hours.

SNAKES ARE REPTILES

Snakes belong to the animal class reptiles.  This group also includes crocodiles, lizards, and turtles.  Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that raise their body temperature by lying in the sun or lower it by crawling into the shade.  Their body temperature changes to the temperature of its surroundings.  Because of this, snakes that live in colder climates must hibernate through the winter.  They will find burrows or caves and fall into a deep sleep until the weather becomes ware enough for them.

There are more than 2,900 species of snakes in the world.  They live almost everywhere, in deserts, forests, oceans, streams, and lakes.  Snakes live on the ground, in trees, and in water.

Snakes cannot survive in places where the ground stays frozen year round so there are no snakes north of the Arctic Circle or in Antarctica.  Some islands, including Ireland and New Zealand, do not have snakes at all.