The Green Mambas of Africa
A Fascinating and Deadly Group
Did you know that there are actually FOUR types of Green Mamba?
- The Southern Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps)
- Yellow-tailed Jameson’s Mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni jamesoni)
- Black-tailed Jameson’s Mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni kaimosae)
- Western Green Mamba (Dendroaspis viridis)
All species are highly venomous and, in the wild, prefer to spend most of their time up in the trees where they are safe from predators and have access to their favorite food, birds. Their venom is a potent combination of quick-acting neurotoxins and cytotoxic (only in Dendroaspis angusticeps) compounds that help subdue agile prey. This venom causes a progressive weakness syndrome and respiratory paralysis (inability to breathe), eventually leading to death.
The green mamba is one of the most feared snakes in Africa. It is a long, slender snake with bright green scales that can reach lengths of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet). Green mambas are found throughout tropical and subtropical Africa.
Profiles
Southern Green Mamba
(Dendroaspis angusticeps)
Other Names: Green Mamba, Eastern Green Mamba.
Distribution: Republic of South Africa (Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape / Pondoland), Southern Mozambique.
Notes: Found along the entire Kwazulu-Natal coastal strip and not more than 30km inland. In the Eastern Cape the snake is only found marginally along the coast in the extreme north-east ‘Transkei/Pondoland’ region.
Jameson's Mamba
(Dendroaspis jamesoni sp)
2 Forms
Distribution:
Black-tailed Jameson’s Mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni jamesoni): Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Guinea, Gabon, Principé (Gulf of Guinea), Benin, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), Congo (Brazzaville), Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Republic of South Sudan (RSS), Zambia.
Yellow-tailed Jameson’s Mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni kaimosae): Western Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, adjacent Democratic Republic of Congo.
Western Green Mamba
(Dendroaspis viridis)
Other Names: West African Green Mamba.
Distribution: Gambia, Senegal, Guinea (Conakry), Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Benin, Togo.
Two Types Milked for Antivenom
The green mamba is one of the most feared snakes in Africa. It is a long, slender snake with bright green scales that can reach lengths of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet). Green mambas are found in the coastal regions of southern and eastern Africa, and they are known for their speed, agility, and deadly venom.
Mike Perry is a snake handler and venom extractor who works at African Reptiles and Venom in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has been milking venomous snakes for anti-venom production for over 30 years, and he is one of the leading experts on snake venom’s, first aid and treatment.
Two different types of green mamba for anti-venom production:
- Southern Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps)
- Black-tailed Jameson’s Mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni kaimosae)
Mike Perry’s dedication to researching and milking venomous snakes like these green mambas plays a crucial role in saving countless lives through the production of effective antivenoms.
In conclusion, green mambas are a captivating group of venomous snakes with unique characteristics and distributions. They play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance in their respective habitats. Mike Perry’s work in antivenom production showcases the importance of understanding these creatures to mitigate the dangers they pose while appreciating their role in the natural world. However, it is essential to remember that these snakes should be treated with respect and caution in their native environments to ensure the safety of both humans and these magnificent reptiles.