The Black mamba's reputation for being ready to attack is exaggerated it is usually provoked by perceived threats such as the blocking of its movements and the ability to retreat. During the threat display, any sudden movement by the intruder may provoke the snake into performing a series of rapid strikes, leading to severe envenomation. They may also hiss and spread their neck flap.
When confronted they are likely to engage in a threat display, gaping to expose their black mouth and flicking their tongue. When mambas perceive a threat, they retreat into the brush or a hole. In the wild, they seldom tolerate humans approaching more closely than about 40 meters (130 ft). Skittish and often unpredictable, Black mambas are agile and can move quickly. They may return daily to the same basking site. Black mambas are solitary they are diurnal and tend to bask in the morning and again in the afternoon.
On the ground, they move with their head and neck raised, and typically use termite mounds, abandoned burrows, rock crevices, and tree cracks as shelter. Black mambas are both terrestrial and arboreal creatures.
