Mamba << MAHM buh or MAM buh >> is a snake whose venomous bite is deadly to human beings. Mambas live in central and southern Africa. They are closely related to cobras, but they do not have a hood. Mambas are long and slender and look somewhat like whips. They are usually about 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) long, but they may reach 14 feet (4.3 meters). Mambas climb rapidly in addition to moving quickly along the ground. The black mamba is green when young and dark brown to black as an adult. The green mamba is green throughout its life.