Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores - Green Mamba

Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores
Green Mamba
Page 7

Dendroaspis angusticeps

Length: 1.5-1.8 m (5 - 6 feet)

Status: Still relatively common but declining near human settlements.

Habitat: Green mambas are found in trees of montane, riverine and coastal forests. Their green color serves as perfect camouflage and they are rarely seen.

Food: Green mambas eat small tree-dwelling (arboreal) mammals, birds and bird eggs, and lizards. Prey is either killed outright by their bite or paralyzed and eaten at leisure. The bite is seldom deadly to adult humans. It may cause mild paralysis.

Social System/Behavior: Green mambas are reputed to be extremely fast snakes but the fastest recorded speed is 11.3 kilometers per hour (7 miles per hour). A cornered mamba that feels threatened will raise its head and open its mouth.

Generally, this snake leads a solitary existence but a female may be courted by two or three males. The males engage in mock battles, threatening each other.

The female lays 12-14 white oval eggs in holes in the ground or in hollow tree stumps. She may also use leaf litter on the forest floor. The young, which are bluish green in color, hatch out in 10 to 12 weeks.

Predators: Mongoose and some birds of prey will feed on these snakes, especially young ones.

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