Jameson's mamba
Encyclopedia
The Jameson's mamba or Traill's green mamba, is a very quick, highly arboreal and highly venomous snake
of the family Elapidae
.
and some parts of eastern Africa
and western Africa
. They can be found all the way from northern Angola
eastwards towards Zambia
, north to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Uganda
, Rwanda
, Kenya
, Burundi
, South Sudan
, Sudan
, Central African Republic
, Cameroon
, Gabon
, Ghana
, Togo
, Nigeria
, and Equatorial Guinea
.
s, woodland and thickets in elevations up to 2200 metres (7,217.8 ft) high. An adaptable species, they will persist in areas where there has been extensive deforestation, providing there are still some thickets and trees to hide in. They're also often found atop buildings in villages, in town parks, or even around farmlands.
, but smaller than the Western green mamba
, and much smaller than the Black mamba
. They tend to be very similar to the Western green mamba
in colouration and like the Western green mamba, the scales of the body of this species have black edgings also. They are usually a dark green, but lighter yellowish green specimens are also common. The ventral side is usually either pale green or yellowish in colour. Jameson's mamba's have a narrow and elongated head is, with a distinct canthus and slightly distinct from the neck. Like the Western green mamba, the neck may be flattened when the snake is aroused, but there is no real hood. The eyes are medium in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are oblique, smooth and narrow. Dorsal scale count is 17 (15 or 19) - 17 (15) - 11 (13).
s make up a large portion of their diet. Small mammals such as mice, rats, and bats and small lizard
s are also prey upon.
The main predators of this species are human
s and various birds of prey. Other predators may include the honey badger, other snakes, and different species of mongoose may also occasionally prey on the Jameson's mamba.
for this species ranges from 0.42 mg/kg—1.0 mg/kg (Ernst and Zug et al. 1996). Envenomation by a Jameson's mamba can be deadly in as little as 30 to 120 minutes after being bitten, if proper medical treatment is not attained. However, the average death time for untreated bite victims is between 2-4 hours post-envenomation. The mortality rate of untreated bites is not exactly known, but it's said to be high (50-70 percentile range, which is the same for the Western green mamba and the Eastern green mamba).
Venomous snake
"Poisonous snake" redirects here. For true poisonous snakes, see Rhabdophis.Venomous snakes are snakes which have venom glands and specialized teeth for the injection of venom...
of the family Elapidae
Elapidae
Elapidae is a family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, terrestrially in Asia, Australia, Africa, North America and South America and aquatically in the Pacific and Indian Oceans...
.
Geographical distribution and habitat
Jameson's mamba occurs mostly in central AfricaCentral Africa
Central Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda....
and some parts of eastern Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
and western Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
. They can be found all the way from northern Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
eastwards towards Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
, north to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
, South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
, Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, Central African Republic
Central African Republic
The Central African Republic , is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the north east, South Sudan in the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo in the south, and Cameroon in the west. The CAR covers a land area of about ,...
, Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
, Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, Togo
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, and Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea where the capital Malabo is situated.Annobón is the southernmost island of Equatorial Guinea and is situated just south of the equator. Bioko island is the northernmost point of Equatorial Guinea. Between the two islands and to the...
.
Habitat
Found in primary and secondary rainforestRainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
s, woodland and thickets in elevations up to 2200 metres (7,217.8 ft) high. An adaptable species, they will persist in areas where there has been extensive deforestation, providing there are still some thickets and trees to hide in. They're also often found atop buildings in villages, in town parks, or even around farmlands.
Physical description
This species is a long, slightly compressed, very slender bodied snake with a medium length tapering tail that is often yellow in colour. The average length of an adult snake of this species is approximately 1.65 metres (5.4 ft), but they can grow as long as 2.7 metres (8.9 ft). They are slightly larger than the Eastern green mambaEastern green mamba
The Eastern green mamba is a medium to large arboreal highly venomous snake of the family Elapidae.-Description:...
, but smaller than the Western green mamba
Western green mamba
The Western green mamba , or also known as the West African green mamba or Hallowell's green mamba, is a long, thin and highly venomous arboreal snake of the family Elapidae.-Geographic range:...
, and much smaller than the Black mamba
Black mamba
The black mamba , also called the common black mamba or black-mouthed mamba, is the longest venomous snake in Africa, averaging around in length, and sometimes growing to lengths of...
. They tend to be very similar to the Western green mamba
Western green mamba
The Western green mamba , or also known as the West African green mamba or Hallowell's green mamba, is a long, thin and highly venomous arboreal snake of the family Elapidae.-Geographic range:...
in colouration and like the Western green mamba, the scales of the body of this species have black edgings also. They are usually a dark green, but lighter yellowish green specimens are also common. The ventral side is usually either pale green or yellowish in colour. Jameson's mamba's have a narrow and elongated head is, with a distinct canthus and slightly distinct from the neck. Like the Western green mamba, the neck may be flattened when the snake is aroused, but there is no real hood. The eyes are medium in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are oblique, smooth and narrow. Dorsal scale count is 17 (15 or 19) - 17 (15) - 11 (13).
Behavior, diet, and predators
This species is highly arboreal, moreso than any other mamba species, descending to the ground only in pursuit of prey. Like other mamba's, they are diurnal. Jameson's mamba, like other mamba species, will try to use their speed to quickly flee from a perceived threat or use their agility to out-maneuver a predator or a threat and then flee, usually high up in a tree. However, they are very alert, highly nervous and high strung snakes. Like any other mamba species, if the Jameson's mamba feels that it is cornered or if their threat is persistent, they will become very explosive and aggressive. They will lift their heads up off the ground, hiss loudly, and strike repeatedly.Diet and predators
Jameson's mamba will actively pursue their prey, similar to a other mamba species. When prey is caught, they will strike rapidly and often until the prey succumbs to the venom. Since this species is highly arboreal, birdBird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s make up a large portion of their diet. Small mammals such as mice, rats, and bats and small lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
s are also prey upon.
The main predators of this species are human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s and various birds of prey. Other predators may include the honey badger, other snakes, and different species of mongoose may also occasionally prey on the Jameson's mamba.
Venom
Like other mamba's, the venom of the Jameson's mamba is an highly neurotoxic venom. It's other components include cardiotoxins, and fasciculins. The average venom yield per bite for this species is 80 mg, but some specimens may yield as much as 120 mg in a single bite. The SCSubcutaneous injection
A subcutaneous injection is administered as a bolus into the subcutis, the layer of skin directly below the dermis and epidermis, collectively referred to as the...
for this species ranges from 0.42 mg/kg—1.0 mg/kg (Ernst and Zug et al. 1996). Envenomation by a Jameson's mamba can be deadly in as little as 30 to 120 minutes after being bitten, if proper medical treatment is not attained. However, the average death time for untreated bite victims is between 2-4 hours post-envenomation. The mortality rate of untreated bites is not exactly known, but it's said to be high (50-70 percentile range, which is the same for the Western green mamba and the Eastern green mamba).
Subspecies
| Subspecies | Taxon author | Common name | Geographic range |
|---|---|---|---|
| D. j. jamesoni | (Traill, 1820) | Jameson's mamba | Throughout much of central Africa Central Africa Central Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda.... including Central African Republic Central African Republic The Central African Republic , is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the north east, South Sudan in the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo in the south, and Cameroon in the west. The CAR covers a land area of about ,... , the Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world... , Ghana Ghana Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south... , Sudan Sudan Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the... , Gabon Gabon Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west... , Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea where the capital Malabo is situated.Annobón is the southernmost island of Equatorial Guinea and is situated just south of the equator. Bioko island is the northernmost point of Equatorial Guinea. Between the two islands and to the... , Togo Togo Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately... , and northern Angola Angola Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city... |
| D. j. kaimosae | (Loveridge Arthur Loveridge Arthur Loveridge was a British biologist and herpetologist who wrote about animals in East Africa, particularly Tanzania, and New Guinea. He gave the scientific name to several gecko species in the region.... , 1936) |
Black-tailed Jameson's mamba | Rwanda Rwanda Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo... , Uganda Uganda Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by... , Kenya Kenya Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east... , Sudan Sudan Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the... , South Sudan South Sudan South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more... , and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world... |
External links
- Youtube.com - Black-tailed Jameson's Mamba milking of venom
- IMMEDIATE FIRST AID - Immediate first aid in case of Jameson's mamba bite