life and death

We read the following on the internet today (so it must be true:) 

Black Mamba Characteristics: The Black Mamba's nickname is "bottom up snake", the victim supposedly has time for one quick drink before death. As said earlier, it is the dreaded snake species of Africa. Treat it with great respect and always stay away from it. Mamba is not only highly venomous but also aggressive and its victim has very little chance to escape from a bite. Its venom is highly neurotoxic. Hence Black Mamba's bite is always 100% fatal if antivenom is not administered quickly. Despite the name this snake is actually brownish-gray or green in colour. When threatened, it opens its mouth wide and gives the victims a good view of the black internal lining of its mouth. Black Mamba is the fastest land snake in the world, reaching top speeds of 16-19 km/hr in short bursts. 

The inquiry was made because of our sudden acute interest in Mozambican snakes.  One was spotted by a church member here at the house on Sunday and the same one, we think, was killed today in the yard by our guard (having been given an 50 meticais incentive).  The black mamba is a nasty snake.  I have looked at a hundred pictures and compared them to ours and I really don't know for sure whether ours is one or not.  Feel free to opine in this matter in the comments section below.

Our snake--when I asked the guard if this was a venemous snake, he answered in his pidgin portuguese "no, it's dead"

an internet black mamba

our snake