Eastern green mamba
| Eastern green mamba | |
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| Species: | D. angusticeps
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| Dendroaspis angusticeps | |
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| Dendroaspis angusticeps range | |
The Eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) is a medium to large arboreal highly venomous snake of the family Elapidae.
Description
The eastern green mamba is overall glossy green in color with a lighter bright greenish-yellow belly. This is the smallest Mamba (dendroaspis) species, averaging only 1.4 metres (4.6 ft) in length.[2][3] The maximum size for this species is 2.4 metres (7.9 ft), but this is uncommon.[4][5] Male eastern green mambas are generally slightly larger than females.[6] The species has two enlarged venom fangs fixed to the front of the mouth and solid teeth in both jaws. It has very smooth scales, is thin and elegant with a very distinctive head that is long and rectangular and they have a long thin tail. Their eyes are medium in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are oblique, smooth and narrow. Dorsal scale count usually 25 - ( 21 or 23 ) - ( 15 to 19 ).[4] Eastern green mamba hatchlings have a yellowish-green color.[2]
Geographic range
This species is indigenous to the east coast of southern Africa and occurs throughout much of eastern Africa.[3] It is found near the coast stretching from eastern South Africa through to Mozambique, Tanzania, Swaziland, and as far as south-east Kenya, going inland as far as southern Malawi and eastern Zimbabwe.[4][6]
Habitat
Eastern green mambas are an arboreal species and thus are almost always found in trees. Very rarely are they found on the ground unless driven by prey or for their need to bask under the sun. They are not usually found in open terrain.[4] Thickly forested and bush-covered areas, such as evergreen forests, mainly make for this species' habitat. They can also be found in regions like coastal scrub, woodland, moist savanna, bamboo and mango plantations. The species can even be found in dense mountain forest up to about 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level. They are often found in thickets and farm trees (citrus, cashew nut, coconut and mango) which offer plenty of shade. In coastal east Africa they are known to enter houses and often shelter in thatched roof dwellings.[4] They may even be found in tropical or sub-tropical regions within their range.[2][3][6]
Behaviour and Diet
This species is highly arboreal and seldom ventures to the ground unless thirsty, following prey or to bask under the sun. Unlike its much larger cousin the Black mamba, this mamba is very shy and generally not aggressive. It will avoid confrontation with humans or other potential predators when possible, and will rather rely on its camouflage, or flee, than alert a potential threat of its presence. They are fast snakes, capable of moving 7 mph. They don't always strike, but under continuous harassment and provocation and especially if cornered, they may suddenly become very ferocious and strike repeatedly in quick succession.[7]
They are a diurnal species that hunt during the day. The diet of the Eastern green mamba consists primarily of adult and juvenile birds, bird eggs, frogs, lizards, snakes, rodents, and other small mammals. They will hunt on the ground if suitable prey cannot be found in the trees. Young specimens will occasionally eat other reptiles, such as chameleons.[7]
Reproduction
The eastern green mamba is solitary, except during mating. Males find females by following a scent trail. Male eastern green mambas will compete with other males with a ritual dance or wrestling contest on the ground, in which one male tries to force the other down. These combats may last for several hours. Combat does not include biting. Courtship and mating take place in the trees, after which the female lays between 6-17 eggs (average of 10-15 eggs are usually laid).[7] The eggs are usually laid in a hollow tree among decaying vegetation. After a little over three months, the young mambas hatch and are between 35 and 45 cm (13 to 18 inches) in length and are venomous from birth. This species can live up to 15–25 years, and 14 years if kept in captivity.[3]
Venom
The eastern green mamba is an especially venomous snake. The venom consists mainly of neurotoxins, cardiotoxins, calcicludine, and fasciculins. The average venom yield per bite is 80 mg according to Engelmann and Obst (1981),[8] while Minton (1974) gives it a range of 60–95 mg (dry weight).[4] The subcutaneous LD50 ranges from 0.40 mg/kg to 3.05 mg/kg depending on different authority figures and estimates.[9] Like all other mamba species, the toxicity of individual specimens within the same species and subspecies can vary greatly based on several factors including geographical region. Local swelling is variable and sometimes absent after mamba bites. However, patients bitten by the eastern green mamba develop swelling of the entire bitten limb and also show mild haemostatic disturbances (Warrell DA; MacKay et al. 1966). The rare cases of local tissue damage usually resulted from bites on the fingers or the use of a tight tourniquet.[5] This species has caused fatalities among bitten humans. The mortality rate of untreated bites is unknown but is thought to be very high.[4]
Gallery
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Eastern green mamba climbing a branch. -
Eastern green mamba at Wilmington's Serpentarium. -
Eastern green mamba at the Reptilienzoo Nockalm in Carinthia, Austria. -
Eastern Green Mamba in Munich Zoological Garden, Germany.
References
- ^ "Dendroaspis angusticeps". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- ^ a b c Zug, George R. (1996). Snakes in Question: The Smithsonian Answer Book. Washington D.C., USA: Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press. ISBN 1-56098-648-4.
- ^ a b c d WhoZoo.org - Eastern green mamba
- ^ a b c d e f g "Dendroaspis angusticeps - General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms". WCH Clinical Toxinology Resource. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- ^ a b "WHO - Guidelines for the Prevention and Clinical Management of Snakebite in Africa". WHO Regional Office for Africa. World Health Organization. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- ^ a b c Eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) Info
- ^ a b c O'Shea, Mark (12 September 2005). Venomous Snakes of the World. New Jersey, USA: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-12436-1.
- ^ Engelmann, Wolf-Eberhard (1981). Snakes: Biology, Behavior, and Relationship to Man. Leipzig; English version NY, USA: Leipzig Publishing; English version published by Exeter Books (1982). p. 51. ISBN 0-89673-110-3.
- ^ Fry, Bryan Grieg. "LD50 Menu". Australian Venom Research Unit. University of Queensland. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- Smith, A. 1849. Illustrations of the zoology of South Africa. Reptilia. Smith, Elder & Co. London.