Thursday, August 03, 2006

inner dork: The black mamba snake

Did you know....

The black mamba, while being one of the deadliest snakes, is also the fastest snake in the world? It can reach speeds of 10-12 mph and has been known to chase people.
The venom from the black mamba is also one of the most lethal. Two drops of its venom can kill a person and even a scratch from the snake can prove to be fatal. A anitvenin wasn't developed until 1960, up until that time all bites from this snake were fatal. However, it sometimes takes as many as 60 vials of antivenin to save a victim.
The black mamba is usually 9 feet long, but sometimes reaches 10-12 feet. Its a nervous little snake, often not letting a human get within 75 feet of it.
There are no black mamba snakes in the US, they are only found in: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zaire and parts of South Africa.

Factoids:
A snake is either revered or reviled depending on the culture.
in Judeo-Christian society as a result of the serpent tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden, the snake is not really liked.
According to Greek legion, Aesculapius discovered medicine by watching a snake use herbs to bring a dead companion back to life. Today, the snake is used as a symbol in medicine depicting two snakes wrapped around a staff.
The Aztecs were told to build their city were they saw an eagle with a serpent in its mouth. When they finally came upon this imagine it was on a small island in the middle of lake. No worries. The Aztecs built their city on barges and planted crops by covering the barges with dirt. Eventually the lake was drained. That city eventually became known as Mexico City.

Also, was a black mamba used in, "Kill Bill?"

4 comments:

Phollower said...

When I first saw the title "The Black Mamba Snake" I thought this post was going to be about something else. Not an actual snake. You continue to surprise me.

Party Girl said...

Phollower: You're dirty.
I like it.

Yeah, I'm a page-turner. Definitely need to look beyond the cover. I take it as a great compliment. Thanks.

puerileuwaite said...

Damn you, phollower! You were quicker on the draw!
Yes, PG, just WHERE is your mind at today?

Party Girl said...

Apparently not as dirty as both of yours. Dammit. My power is growing weak.