The Eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) is a highly venomous snake native to the coastal regions of southern East Africa. It was described by Scottish surgeon and zoologist Andrew Smith in 1849. It is a shy and elusive snake that is rarely seen. This elusiveness is usually attributed to its arboreal habitat and green coloration, which acts as camouflage in its natural environment. It has also been observed to use ambush predation, like many vipers, contrary to the active foraging style typical of other elapid snakes.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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Ambush predatorAmbush predators are carnivorous animals that capture or trap prey by stealth, luring, or by (typically instinctive) strategies utilizing an elemen...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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DangerousDangerous animals demonstrate aggression and a propensity to attack or harass people or other animals without provocation.
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Highly venomousHighly venomous animals are able to produce the most toxic venom which is considered to be one of the most debilitating and potentially deadly.
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SolitaryDo
Dominance hierarchyA dominance hierarchy (formerly and colloquially called a pecking order) is a type of social hierarchy that arises when members of animal social gr...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Eastern green mamba is a large snake, with a slightly compressed and very slender body with a medium to long tapering tail. The head is narrow, elongated, and coffin-shaped, with a distinct canthus that is slightly distinct from the neck. When threatened or otherwise aroused in some way, Eastern green mambas are capable of flattening their neck area, though no real hood is formed. The eyes are medium in size and the pupils are round. The dorsal scales are oblique, smooth, and narrow. Adult Eastern green mambas have bright green upperparts and a pale yellow-green belly. Juveniles are blue-green, becoming brighter green in successive sheddings of the skin. The border of the pupil may have a narrow bright ochre to the golden yellow edge, and the posterior border of the iris may become bright green. The inside of the mouth may be white or bluish-white.
Eastern green mambas are native to more coastal regions of southern Africa and East Africa. Their range extends from Kenya south through Tanzania, Malawi, eastern Zimbabwe, and eastern Zambia. They can also be found in Zanzibar and northern Mozambique. An isolated and genetically distinct population is found in South Africa from the extreme northeastern part of the Eastern Cape along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline and into southern Mozambique. Eastern green mambas inhabit tropical rainforests in coastal lowlands and it is suggested that they can also be found in coastal bush, dune, and montane forests. These snakes are rarely found in open terrain and prefer relatively dense well-shaded vegetation. In addition to wild forest habitats, they are also commonly found in thickets and farm trees (such as citrus, mango, coconut, and cashew). In coastal East Africa, they are known to enter houses and may even shelter in thatched-roof dwellings.
Eastern green mambas are solitary reptiles that are active during the day. They are primarily arboreal (living in trees), only rarely descending to the ground. Eastern green mambas are elusive snakes; due to their coloration, they are usually well-camouflaged in trees or bushes. They are not commonly found on the ground unless motivated by thirst, prey, or the need to bask in the sun (thermoregulation). They are adept climbers and extremely agile snakes. They sleep at night in a tree coiled up in leafy clumps rather than seeking a tree hollow (although sometimes found in them). Eastern green mambas are relatively sedentary and can remain in the same location for days at a time, apparently moving most commonly to find food or mates. On average, individuals of this species move only about 5.4 meters (18 ft) per day. Eastern green mambas are shy creatures and tend to avoid confrontation with humans or other predators when possible, by relying on camouflage or fleeing. They are fast snakes, capable of moving 11 kilometers (7 mi) per hour. They are reluctant to strike but may do so repeatedly in quick succession if provoked or cornered, often leading to severe envenomation.
The Eastern green mamba has the least toxic venom of the three green mamba species, but it is still highly venomous. Although the most commonly encountered green mamba, it generally avoids people. The peak period for bites is the species' breeding season from September to February, during which they are most irritable. The snake tends to bite repeatedly, and one bite can contain 60-95 mg of venom by dry weight. The median lethal dose (LD50) in mice is 1.3 mg/kg through the subcutaneous route, and 0.45 mg/kg through the IV route. Symptoms of envenomation by this species include pain and swelling of the bite site, which can progress to local necrosis or gangrene. Systemic effects include dizziness and nausea, difficulty breathing and swallowing, irregular heartbeat, and convulsions. Neurotoxic symptoms such as paralysis may be mild or absent.
Eastern green mambas are carnivorous reptiles. They prey primarily on birds and their eggs as well as small mammals including bats. It is believed that these snakes eat arboreal lizards as well.
Eastern green mambas start breeding during the rainy season, between April and June. Gravid (pregnant) females tend to be sedentary, but males actively search out and court prospective mates. Males may fight each other over potential mating opportunities, or possibly establish a dominance hierarchy. Typically, a male initiates a fight by moving on top of the other’s body and tongue-flicking, after which the two snakes twine together and push in an attempt to pin each other's head to the ground. Male-male combat can last for several hours. Males locate females by following a scent trail. The male courts the female by aligning his body along the female’s while rapidly tongue-flicking. Courtship and mating take place in the trees, after which the female lays anywhere between 4-17 eggs, which occurs in the summer months of October and November. The eggs are usually laid in a hollow tree, among decaying vegetation, or leaf litter. The incubation period is 10-12 weeks. When the young emerge from the eggs, they are approximately 30-40 cm (12-16 in) in length. Hatchlings tend to grow 50-80 centimeters (20-31 in) in length in the first year of life. As the hatchlings age, their growth rates decrease but they never completely stop growing.
Although populations of the Eastern green mamba are stable overall, these snakes still face some threats which include habitat destruction and deforestation. In South Africa, their habitat is fragmented and being transformed into coastal housing developments.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Eastern green mamba total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
