Iconic predator

The black mamba is a snake with a reputation for being furious, fast and deadly. Long and slender, it can grow to 4m and become strong enough to raise a third of its body off the ground and look you in the eye. It's an iconic predator, terrifying yet fascinating. Snake rescuer Thea Litschka-Loen describes mambas as elegant, intelligent and even inquisitive. This is a snake with attitude - it's more likely to strike than any other snake and its bite is known as the kiss of death.