EASTERN GREEN MAMBA

SCIENTIFIC NAME:Dendroaspis angusticeps

RANGE: Most of Africa.

HABITAT: Found usually in tropical or wooded areas. Mambas are also very good tree climbers.

DIET: Feeds mostly on birds, rodents, frogs and lizards.

STATUS: Not threatened

APPEARANCE

• Two enlarged venom fangs fixed to the front of the mouth.
  
• Solid teeth in both jaws.
  
• Green mambas are the smallest of the species reaching an average of 1.5 metres in length.
  
• Glossy green in colour with a lighter bright greenish-yellow belly.
• Green mambas are thin, elegant snakes with a very distinctive head and long thin tail.
  
• They have small eyes, smooth scales and a long rectangular head.
  
• Often confused with the Boomslang (Dispholidus typus).
  

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Eastern Green Mambas can be found in Western South Afrika, Natal , Mossambique, eastern Zimbabwe and Tanzenia.

They occur in the ever green coastal forests

BEHAVIOUR

The green mamba is highly arboreal and seldom ventures to the ground unless following prey or basking. Green mambas are diurnal. Unlike the black mamba, it is a shy and unaggressive snake, and does not often gape and strike if threatened but usually makes a swift and elegant escape. Continued provocation will cause the snake to strike, and bites, although serious, are uncommon.

Green mambas make their homes near trees, often in evergreen forest, coastal scrub, or moist savannah. Bamboo thickets and mango plantations are also known to be mamba habitat.

Their diet consists primarily of adult and juvenile birds, birds' eggs, and small mammals. Young mambas occasionally eat other reptiles, such as chameleons.

The green mamba is oviparous, laying 6-17 eggs in summer. The eggs are usually laid in a hollow tree among decaying vegetation. Hatchlings measure between 35 and 45 cm (13 to 18 inches) and are venomous from birth. Males of this species are known to engage in combat for mating rights, similar to the combat practiced by male king cobras. The combat involves wrestling matches, with snakes twisting and pushing each other to the ground, which may last several hours. Combat does not usually include biting.

CAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR

Eastern Green Mambas are pleasant animals to keep in captivity. They have a attractive colour which makes them a popular snake to keep. These snakes are mostly very calm and docile when not disturbed, but caution needs to be taken as they can be really unpredictable. Some specimens can be very friendly for years and one day they decide to take a run or a go at you. When kept in a large enclosure do they show a nice and active behaviour. Green mambas are always interested in new objects or movement which they will check out very carefully.

VENOM

The green mamba's venom is highly venomous, containing calcicludine amongst other neurotoxins. Its venom is similar in composition and action to that of the more famous black mamba but only one-tenth as toxic, and the amount injected is generally less, due to the snake's smaller size. Despite this, any bite from a green mamba is potentially fatal and should be regarded as a medical emergency requiring immediate hospital treatment.

THE BITE

• Little or no swelling at the bite wound.
  
• Wound will show two puncture marks.
  

LIFECYCLE

• Green Mamba is oviparous (egg laying).
  
• Female lays between 6 and 18 eggs in the summer usually in rotting vegetation.
  
• Hatchlings are poisonous from birth and up to 18 inches long.
  

National Geographic Remote-control Green Mamba Snake @ $ 9.95

Biologists call the slither of a snake lateral undulation, but when kids are in control, it's simply fun. Great for practicing hand-eye coordination, the egg-shaped remote control guides this segmented green mamba through an obstacle course created by household objects and kids' own imaginations. Snake features light-up eyes to add some creepy fun! The green mamba is one of the larger venomous snakes in Africa and is active primarily during the day.

• Required: two AAA and two AA batteries, not included
  
• 20''L
  
• For ages 6 and up
  

http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/746/4084/107.html

Green Mambas at our camp