Genus: Dendroaspis
The eastern green mamba is a species of snake commonly found throughout East Africa, and occasionally in Southern Africa. It is closely related to the black mamba and, like the black mamba, is highly venomous. There are four types of mambas in the wild; the Jameson’s mamba lives in central Africa; the western green mamba exists in West Africa and the infamous black mamba dwells in Sub Sahara Africa.
The name of name of the eastern green mamba derives from its coloring: adult snakes have bright green scales on their tops, and belly scales are made up of light, yellow-green scales. They are characterized not only by their long bright bodies but also viewed on a side angle, they appear to be smiling. Plus, like the black mamba, the Green Mamba has an ominous coffin shaped head which is distinctive from the shape of the rest of the snake. Very young eastern green mambas might have slightly blue-green scales. Good eyesight allows them to target fast prey with their poisonous bite.
Female eastern green mambas can grow to around 2 meters, (6 to 7 feet in length) while males are slightly shorter at 1.8 meters (occasionally 8 to 8½ feet) . They are diurnal, so they are awake during the day and sleep at night. They are also solitary creatures, with most snakes living on their own. This only changes slightly during the mating season.
Habitat of the Eastern Green Mamba
Because of these colors, eastern green mambas blend in easily with the leaves of tree tops. This is good for them, since they are an arboreal species, meaning they live and hunt primarily in the trees. Eastern green mambas are shy and elusive snakes. They prefer to avoid humans, and since they blend in so easily, they are often successful. These luminous like snakes are most often seen during their mating season, as they are more active then. The agile snakes are super climbers, sliding easily along vines, twigs and branches.
These snakes live almost entirely in trees. While they can be seen on the ground, they prefer to stay in the trees whenever possible. Because of this, they are usually only found in highly forested regions, and stay away from open plains or other open areas and hardly venture further than 7km inland.
The eastern green mamba snake only lives in the wild in KwaZulu-Natal and the furthest northeastern part of the Eastern Cape at Kosi Bay in South Africa but its full territory extends southernly from Kenya, through Tanzania, Malawi, and the east of Zimbabwe. Locals say you will only see a green mamba where you can hear the sea.
Fantastic Facts About Eastern Green Mambas
- Sometimes eastern green mambas come into contact with humans by sliding over villagers thatched roofs or they may crawl into a local beekeeper’s hollow-log hive to make a new home.
- Dendroaspis means “tree” and “small venomous snake.
- An eastern green mamba snake bite can kill a human within 30 minutes. Treatment must be taken immediately.
- Juvenile green mambas become greener with each skin shedding
During the day, these snakes will often only move from their trees to find food or, during the mating season, a mate. They will also occasionally come to the ground to bask in the sun, which helps them regulate their temperature.
Unlike many other snakes, which will often hunt for their food, eastern green mambas usually prefer to use the sit-and-wait, or ambush, method. They will find a spot where they are camouflaged, and rest there, sometimes for hours. Then, when suitable prey passes by, they will quickly strike. They feed on birds, bird eggs, bats, and sometimes arboreal lizards. They can also eat many species of rodents, like mice, rats, gerbils and squirrels.
Venom
Once they have prey, or when they are threatened, they will strike. They often bite more than once, which can deliver high doses of their lethal venom, which contains both neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. This venom can cause pain, swelling, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and convulsions. In more severe cases, it can cause necrosis, gangrene, paralysis, and respiratory failure.
Breeding
Their mating season occurs from April to June. During this time, males may wrestle each other for a mate, or to establish dominance. Around three months after mating, the female will lay anywhere from 4 to 17 eggs, which will hatch into young snakes. Eastern green mambas can live for more than ten years.
Eastern Green Mambas in Captivity
The eastern, should only be handled by an expert due to its very dangerous venom. Hatchlings can be kept in a well ventilated terraria of 20-50 gallons (75.70 L to 189 L), with adults needing at least 100 gallons (378.5 L). It goes without saying there must be a simple yet secure lock. The use of a clamp stick is the common method of transferring the animals from a hide box/trap box, but due to the great speed of this dangerous snake even cautious use of a clamp stick is unadvisable. An elapine keeper, should be asked to help.
A temperature gradient of several degrees is suggested by experts. The coolest area of the terrarium should be 74 degrees while the warmest section can range up to 100 degrees for basking and during thermo regulation.
Conservation Status:
‘This species has not been assessed by the IUCN. However, it is believed that they are quite populous, although deforestation and coastal development could threaten their habitats.
Q&A
What family is the The eastern green mamba in?
The eastern green mamba is in Elapidae family
Which order is The eastern green mamba in?
The eastern green mamba is in scaled reptiles
Which class is The eastern green mamba in?
The eastern green mamba is in reptilia.
Can a green mamba venomous bite be treated?
The eastern green mamba bites can be treated with fast anti venom treatment.
What color is the inside of the the eastern green mamba’s mouth?
The eastern green mamba’s mouth may be pale blue or white.
Can an eastern green mamba kill a human?
The bite of the eastern green mamba can kill a human within 30 minutes
How fast can the eastern green mamba move?
The eastern green mamba can move at 20 km per hour.
Do eastern green mambas have natural predators accept from man?
The eastern green mamba has only one recognised predator: the brown snake eagle.
You may like the article on Which are the smallest frogs in the world?
