Dendroaspis angusticeps
Dendroaspis angusticeps ( Common Green Mamba )  [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ]
Family: Elapidae
Subfamily: Elapinae
Genus: Dendroaspis
Species: angusticeps
Common Names
Common Green Mamba , Eastern Green Mamba , White-mouthed Mamba , Green Mamba
Local Names
Groen Mamba , Ilumangiu , Fiha
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Countries
Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
 
Taxonomy and Biology
Adult Length: 1.80 m
General Shape
Large in length, slightly compressed, very slender bodied snake with a medium to moderately long tapering tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 2.80 metres. Head is narrow and elongate, with a distinct canthus and slightly distinct from neck. Neck may be flattened when snake is aroused, but there is no real hood. 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 ).
Habitat
Forest, woodland, coastal dense bush and thicket and dense montane forest up to about 1700 metres. Not usually found in open terrain. Often found in thickets and farm trees ( citrus, cashew nut, coconut and mango ) which offer plenty of shade. In coastal east Africa it is known to enter houses and often shelters in thatched roof dwellings.
Habits
Diurnal, arboreal and secretive snake. Alert, nervous, excellent climber and extremely agile snake. Sleeps at night in a tree coiled up in leafy clumps rather than seeking a tree hollow ( although sometimes found in them ). If disturbed it will quickly retreat, often ascending high up into the trees. If cornered, it is reluctant to threaten ( rear up, spread its narrow hood and gape the mouth ) or bite, but will do so as a last resort.
Prey
Actively pursue their prey, striking rapidly and often until prey succumbs to the venom. Feeds almost exclusively on birds ( including bats ), their eggs and small mammals. They will descend to the ground to pursue prey.
Species Map
Small (Approx 20k) version
 
Venom
Average Venom Qty
60 to 95 mg ( dry weight ), U.S. Dept. Navy (1968) ( Ref : R000914 ).

60 to 95 mg ( dry weight ), Minton (1974) ( Ref : R000504 ).
General: Venom Neurotoxins
Dendrotoxins & fasciculins
General: Venom Myotoxins
Not present
General: Venom Procoagulants
Not present
General: Venom Anticoagulants
Not present
General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Not present
General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Not present
General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Not present
General: Venom Necrotoxins
Not present
General: Venom Other
Not present or not significant
 
Clinical Effects
General: Dangerousness
Severe envenoming possible, potentially lethal
General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown
General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown
General: Local Effects
Local pain & swelling
General: Local Necrosis
Uncommon but can be moderate
General: General Systemic Effects
Variable non-specific effects which may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions
General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
Common, flaccid paralysis is major clinical effect
General: Myotoxicity
Not likely to occur
General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Unlikely to occur
General: Renal Damage
Unlikely to occur
General: Cardiotoxicity
Unlikely to occur
General: Other
Increased sweating, salivation, "gooseflesh".
 
First Aid
Description: First aid for bites by Elapid snakes which do not cause significant injury at the bite site (see Comments for partial listing), but which may have the potential to cause significant general (systemic) effects, such as paralysis, muscle damage, or bleeding.
Details
1. After ensuring the patient and onlookers have moved out of range of further strikes by the snake, the bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically. The basis for reassurance is the fact that many venomous bites do not result in envenoming, the relatively slow progression to severe envenoming (hours following elapid bites, days following viper bites) and the effectiveness of modern medical treatment.
2. The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the wound must not be massaged. For Australian snakes only, do not wash or clean the wound in any way, as this may interfere with later venom detection once in a hospital.
3. All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be removed, as they may act as tourniquets if oedema develops.
4. If the bite is on a limb, a broad bandage (even torn strips of clothing or pantyhose) should be applied over the bitten area at moderate pressure (as for a sprain; not so tight circulation is impaired), then extended to cover as much of the bitten limb as possible, including fingers or toes, going over the top of clothing rather than risking excessive limb movement by removing clothing. The bitten limb should then be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling.
5. If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention.
6. Do not use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric shock.
7. Avoid peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration.
8. If the offending snake has been killed it should be brought with the patient for identification (only relevant in areas where there are more than one naturally occurring venomous snake species), but be careful to avoid touching the head, as even a dead snake can envenom. No attempt should be made to pursue the snake into the undergrowth as this will risk further bites.
9. The snakebite victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person (health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back.
10. Most traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision, excision, amputation, suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus), injection or instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on.
 
Treatment
Treatment Summary
Mamba bites can cause severe, even lethal systemic (paralytic) effects. They require urgent assessment & treatment. Admit at least overnight. Urgent antivenom therapy is the most important treatment.
Key Diagnostic Features
Local pain, swelling, possibly necrosis, systemic paralysis, neuroexcitatory features
General Approach to Management
All cases should be treated as urgent & potentially lethal. Rapid assessment & commencement of treatment including appropriate antivenom (if indicated & available) is mandatory. Admit all cases.
Antivenom Therapy
Antivenom is the key treatment for systemic envenoming. Multiple doses may be required.
Antivenoms
1. Antivenom Code: SAfSAI03
Antivenom Name: SAIMR Polyvalent Antivenom
Manufacturer: South African Vaccine Producers (Pty) Ltd
Phone: +27 11 386-6000; +27 11 386-6078
Address: Postal address
PO Box 28999
Sandringham 2131
Gauteng Province

Physical address
1 Modderfontein Road
Sandringham, Johannesburg
Country: South Africa
2. Antivenom Code: SAfSAIBK
Antivenom Name: SAIMR Snakebite Kit
Manufacturer: South African Vaccine Producers (Pty) Ltd
Phone: +27 11 386-6000; +27 11 386-6078
Address: Postal address
PO Box 28999
Sandringham 2131
Gauteng Province

Physical address
1 Modderfontein Road
Sandringham, Johannesburg
Country: South Africa
3. Antivenom Code: SAfIBM01
Antivenom Name: Antivipmyn Africa
Manufacturer: Instituto Bioclon
Phone: ++56-65-41-11
Address: Calzada de Tlalpan No. 4687
Toriello Guerra
C.P. 14050
Mexico, D.F.,
Country: Mexico
 
Images
Dendroaspis angusticeps ( Common Green Mamba ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Dendroaspis angusticeps ( Common Green Mamba ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ]