4October2019 by Ryan Blumenthal
Black mambasare extremely dangerous reptiles – in fact, many consider the species to be one of the world’s deadliest snakes. They are found in southern and eastern Africa, and are shy, evasive creatures. They won’t seek out human interaction. But if cornered or confronted, they will strike. And their venom is lethal.
Black mambas (don’t let the name fool you – they’re very rarely black, and are more usually a dark brown – it is the inside of the mouth which is black) probably cause the largest number ofsnake-related deathsin southern Africa. In a recent case, a South African judgedied after being bitten by a black mambawhile he was travelling in Zambia. But the data for the whole continent is limited, so the precise number isn’t known. This is chiefly because most of these deaths occur in rural parts of Africa with limited health infrastructure and other resources.
Sub-optimal mortuary facilities, inadequate professional manpower, poorly developed protocols and the lack of an efficient and reliable toxicology service means many of these deaths in Africa’s more rural areas are not properly diagnosed. It is most likely that these snakebite victims get buried without a thorough forensic pathological autopsy.
The black mamba is born with two to three drops of venom per fang. It is a front-fanged snake, with fangs up to 6.5 mm in length, located at the front of the upper jaw. An adult of the species has between 12 and 20 drops per fang. It takes justtwo drops of venomto kill an adult human. This means that even young black mambas are extremely dangerous.
Not much is known about the pathology of trauma of black mamba bites – that is, what the black mamba’s toxin does, physically, inside a victim’s system. We do know that the venom is neurotoxic and cardiotoxic. That means that it has a direct effect on the nerves and the heart.
The more we know, the better. If we know precisely what the toxin does, hospitals and clinics might be better prepared to treat those who’ve been bitten.
A recent case study
Recently my colleagues and Iexaminedthe case of a young man who was bitten by a black mamba in South Africa. He arrived at the hospital 20 minutes after being bitten and had already suffered cardiac arrest with accompanying hypoxic brain injury.
This was my third encounter with the victim of a black mamba bite. My first fatal encounter, in 2000, involved a 12-year-old girl who was bitten on the thigh by a black mamba. The second involved a British tourist who was accidentally bitten at a snake park, and who also died.
In this latest case, the co-workers of the young man who died were certain that the snake was a black mamba. This gave us, as forensic pathologists, an excellent opportunity to thoroughly investigate this matter. Oftentimes, the history is scant, with victims unable to properly identify the snake which bit them.
The forensic examination consists of a thorough macroscopic post mortem examination, followed by histological (microscopic) examination and blood tests.
A black mamba’s venom is complex. It interferes with transmission across the motor end-plate, which is where the nerves and muscles connect, so it will result in paralysis. The venom is also cardiotoxic, which means it may have a direct effect on the heart.
How to treat it
So what should you do if a black mamba bites you or someone around you?
The first priority is to transport the victim to an appropriate medical facility as soon as possible. First aid should focus on maintaining vital functions, such as respiratory support. Keep the victim still and try limit any unnecessary movement. Remove constricting items (for example rings and clothing), especially those close to the bite site.
The first-aid treatment of black mamba bites includes lymphatic retardation with the pressure immobilisation technique – in other words try and wrap a tight crepe bandage or tourniquet close to the bite site.
Medical management comprises continuous monitoring, making sure the airways are open, treating symptoms and the immediate administration of antivenom. The antivenom is injected intravenously because absorption is poor via the muscles. It’s also important not to inject into or around the bite site. In rare instances the victim may be put onextracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which is a way of providing prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to those whose heart and lungs are unable to provide oxygen to the body.
This combination of respiratory support and antivenom may save a person’s life. Over time, the antivenom will ease muscle paralysis and set the victim on the road to recovery.
Ryan Blumenthal is a Senior Specialist Forensic Pathologist and Associate Professor in the University of Pretoria’s Department of Forensic Medicine.
This article first appeared in The Conversation on 12 September 2019.
FAQs
The bite of a black mamba can cause collapse in humans within 45 minutes. Without appropriate antivenom treatment, symptoms typically progress to respiratory failure, which leads to cardiovascular collapse and death. This typically occurs in 7 to 15 hours.
Why are black mambas important? ›
Black mambas play a very important ecological role in their environment as they help to control populations of small rodents they prey on.
How do humans impact black mambas? ›
Many mambas are killed every year by humans not as a means of predation, but just as a result of fear. Many people that live in Africa know of the black mamba and the deadly venom it possesses. This scares many people, and because of this they will just kill the snake.
How does the neurotoxin of the black mamba affect its victims? ›
The venom of black mambas is highly neurotoxic and contains a combination of α-neurotoxins, which induce postsynaptic blockade of the neuromuscular junctions, and dendrotoxins, which inhibit the voltage-dependent potassium channels, enhancing the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thus producing a ...
How many humans are killed by black mambas each year? ›
The black mamba is Africa's deadliest snake. Untreated, its bite has a fatality rate of 100 percent, making it a killer among killers on a continent where it is thought that nearly 20,000 people die of snake bites each year, and the residents of Swaziland in southern Africa have suffered losses for generations.
Is there a cure for black mamba venom? ›
This New Antivenom Defangs the Toxins of Cobras, Black Mambas and More. A black mamba in South Africa. Antivenom, the only effective treatment for venomous snakebites, saves thousands of lives each year. But the process used to produce antivenom is laborious and antiquated.
Has anyone survived a black mamba bite? ›
It was about midday on a Thursday in January 1998 when Danie Pienaar came face to face with a black mamba and its bite. Danie, now head of Scientific Services in the Kruger National Park, was a student at the time and tracking white rhinos near the Phabeni tributary, south of Pretoriuskop.
What are 3 interesting facts about the black mamba? ›
Black mambas live in the savannas and rocky hills of southern and eastern Africa. They are Africa's longest venomous snake, reaching up to 14 feet in length, although 8.2 feet is more the average. They are also among the fastest snakes in the world, slithering at speeds of up to 12.5 miles per hour.
Can a human outrun a black mamba? ›
Over distance they slow down to 7 MPH (12 KPH). However, the average human run speed over distance is 6 MPH (10 KPH). Thus, you cant outrun a Black Mamba. Still, Black Mambas are extremely shy and will do everything they can to avoid people.
Do black mambas follow you? ›
The snakes generally avoid contact with humans. The black mamba usually uses its speed to escape from threats, and humans actually are their main predators, rather than prey.
however, she didn't count on the black mamba. being extremely venomous, and sadly, its bite would cause her to die. in the worst possible way. unfortunately, this lion would also become another of its victims, and after being attacked by the snake, it would lose control of its body and begin to spasm.
What is the most aggressive snake towards humans? ›
Many snake experts have cited the black mamba and the coastal taipan as the world's most dangerous, albeit not the most venomous snakes. Both species are elapids, and in several aspects of morphology, ecology and behavior, the coastal taipan is strongly convergent with the black mamba.
What does black mamba venom do to humans? ›
A black mamba's venom is complex. It interferes with transmission across the motor end-plate, which is where the nerves and muscles connect, so it will result in paralysis. The venom is also cardiotoxic, which means it may have a direct effect on the heart.
Which snake kills the most humans per year? ›
The killer of the most people
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) may be the deadliest of all snakes, since scientists believe it to be responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined.
What does snake venom do to blood? ›
They can destroy the outer membrane of capillary vessels, causing internal bleeding. In some cases they can also activate the blood clotting system, causing clots around the circulatory system. These can then block blood vessels and induce a stroke or heart attack.
Has anyone ever survived a black mamba bite? ›
The doctor, after examination and questioning him, administered the antivenin which saved his life. Danie believes he survived for a number of reasons. "Firstly, it was not my time to go." The fact that he stayed calmed and moved slowly definitely helped. The tourniquet was also essential.
How painful is black mamba venom? ›
At first you might feel a slight sting as the fangs enter. Then, a tingling will spread throughout your limbs. But within minutes your central nervous system will start shutting down, culminating in convulsions, paralysis, and a suffocating death.
Can a lion survive a black mamba bite? ›
however, she didn't count on the black mamba. being extremely venomous, and sadly, its bite would cause her to die. in the worst possible way. unfortunately, this lion would also become another of its victims, and after being attacked by the snake, it would lose control of its body and begin to spasm.
