Green mamba: Deadly
Identification: A beautiful emerald green snake with a slightly lighter, sometimes yellowish belly. These snakes also have the odd yellow scale scattered on the body. Like the human fingerprint, these yellow scales can be used to identify specific individuals. They are also much fatter than other common green snakes and have elongated, coffin-shaped heads. They average around 1.8-metres in length.
Harmless snakes, such as the spotted bush snake and Natal green, are often confused with the green mamba, however the green mamba is a much larger and fatter snake.
Favourite food: Small mammals and birds.
Habits: Only found on the KZN coastline, they are not nearly as common as they are made out to be. These arboreal snakes are seldom seen and will disappear very quickly if spotted. They prefer the dense vegetation of the coastal forest.
Bites: Bites are very rare, however this snake will not hesitate to bite if it is cornered. It has a neurotoxic venom which seems to be less potent than that of the black mamba. In case of a bite, the patient must remain calm and be transported to hospital as soon as possible.
To have Warren identify some of your interesting insects, snakes or spiders, Whatsapp or call him on 072-211-0353.
He also has a Facebook page: Warren’s Small World.
