The black mamba is considered the most dangerous and feared[14] snake in Africa, though the ocellated carpet viper is responsible for more human fatalities due to snakebite than all other African species combined.[15] According to wildlife biologist Joe Wasilewski, black mambas are the most-advanced of all the snake species in the world. Their venom apparatus and method of delivering venom is also probably the most-effective and most-evolved among all venomous snakes.[16] Its combination of speed, unpredictable aggression, and potent venom make it an extremely dangerous species. Though the black mamba has a reputation for being very aggressive, like most snakes it usually attempts to flee from humans unless threatened.
Many experts regard the black mamba and the coastal taipan as the world's most dangerous snakes.