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Dendroaspis angusticeps (Green mamba, Common or Eastern Green
mamba, White-mouthed mamba)
Groenmamba [ Afrikaans]; iMamba eluhlaza [Zulu]
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Teleostomi (teleost fish) > Osteichthyes (bony fish) > Class:
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Romeriida > Diapsida > Lepidosauromorpha > Lepidosauria >
Squamata > Serpentes
(snakes) > Family: Elapidae > Genus:
Dendroaspis
Identification
Green mambas' can be identified by the following features,
a flat coffin shaped head, a completely green body and a long thin tail. This
snake has an average length of 1.8 meters but may reach up to 2.5 meters. It also
strictly diurnal.
Distribution and habitat
Very narrowly distributed along East Coast of Africa from
KwaZulu-Natal up to Kenya. Preferred habitats include lowland forest, moist savanna,
bamboo thickets and mango or tea plantations; It is also important to note that
it is almost never found on the ground and spends most of its life in a tree or
shrub.
Food
Consists almost entirely of
birds and
birds eggs but occasionally they will feed on
rodents
(e.g.
rats and mice) and
juveniles have been known to eat chameleons.
Predators, parasites and disease
Are known to be fed on by other snakes; However their
biggest threat is habitat destruction.
Reproduction
The green mamba is Oviparous ( lays eggs) and lays between
6 and 17 eggs during the summer months, the eggs are laid in a hollow tree trunk
amongst decaying vegetation. the males of this species will engage in combat in
order to
be allowed to mate with females.
Longevity
A specimen is known to have lived in captivity for just
over 12 years.
Medical importance
This snake has as strong neurotoxic venom which is similar
to the Black mamba, however its venom is weaker and not produced in the same
amounts. It is however still lethal enough to require serious medical
assistance, luckily this snake is not aggressive and seldom bites.
Links
References
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Broadley, D.G. 1983. FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern
Africa. Delta Books, Johannesburg.
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Marais, J. 2004. A Complete Guide to Snakes of
Southern Africa. Struik Publishing , Cape Town
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