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Mambas are probably the quickest and most agile snake species in the world.
There are many reasons for that and not just to catch their prey quick.
Mambas live in habits with many large herds of zebras, antelopes and many other dangerous animals.
They need to stay out of their way. There are seasonal fire, engulfing large areas.
So, mambas need to move quickly across open areas, reach trees and move fast.
Mambas can move quickly on the ground and are equally fast moving through trees.
In the african Savannah there are many pockets of trees, where mambas are completely at home...
... and relatively save from predators.
The situation changes, when mambas leaves the safety of the trees.
There are large herds of hoofstock and other dangerous animals on the ground like lions, elephants and rhinos.
They need to move from point A to point B in a hurry to avoid danger.
Once the mambas leave the trees, they move as fastest as they can to the next trees to find food and shelter.
In general, Mambas are not looking for trouble. Their aggressiveness usually comes out when they are cornered.
In Africa, it is quite common that kids play in the same fruit trees, that harbors many mambas.
There are not many reports about accidents or attacks.
Nine time out of ten, the mamba will avoid any confrontation and move away from people.