The Jameson's mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni) is a long, slender snake which inhabits the forests of Central Africa. Since the genus Dendroaspis belongs to the large family Elapidae, its venom contains neurotoxins. Its bite can cause extended local swelling and respiratory paralysis. The diaphragm and the ribs intercostal muscles cannot be innervated and, therefore, cannot be expanded for inspiration, because the venom interferes with nerve cells impulses. Its venom is also cardiotoxic, causing arrhytmia and myocardium fibrillations.
Description
The Jameson's mamba is a fast moving, diurnal tree snake. The adult measures between 2.20 and 2.60 m in length, while hatchling are about 25 cm long. The color of its body is dull green on the dorsal side, and mottled with black and yellowish green along the lower side of body. The scales are larger and smoother on the the head, and smaller and narrowly edged with black on the rest of body. Eyes are set on the sides of head, with round pupils. The members of sub-species kaimosae, from Uganda and Kenya, has a black tail. It feeds on birds, rodents, such as squirrels and mice, and arboreal lizards. The female lays clutches of 10 and 15 eggs.
Recorded Medical Cases
A bite from a juvenile Jameson's mamba in Uganda caused considerably facial pain, chills, and sweating. This was followed by slurring of speech and incapacity to breathe. In another case, a man searching for wood to make fire in Rwanda was bitten by a green snake with a black tail; he was immediately taken to a town hospital but he died upon arrival. In Nigeria, another victim died four hours after a "green snake" bite, showing symptoms that ranged from abdominal pain, vomiting, involuntary urination, blurred vision, and inability to speak; then he was unable to breathe and died.
Below, the Jameson's mamba.
Below, the Dendroaspis jamesoni, sub-species Kaimosai.
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