FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The green mamba belongs to the genus Dendroaspis and the family Elapidae. It may sometimes be referred to as an African green mamba as it is native to the coastal regions of East Africa, while some species are native to the western part. The range of the population includes Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Congo, eastern South Africa, Senegal, Gambia, and Ghana. These mambas are known to be arboreal and are known to prefer coastal areas that have dense or heavy vegetation types of habitat. These snakes can be found in coastal dunes, bushlands, lowland tropical forests, and montane forests. There have been four subspecies recognized, including eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps), western green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis), black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepsis), and Jameson's mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni). Male mambas are known to engage in fights during the breeding or mating season. Eggs are laid in hollow trees or hiding places like underground burrows. Hatching takes place after about two to three months and the young ones are known to be fully independent after hatching.
This venomous snake is known for its bright green color and has duller or paler yellow underparts. Juveniles or young ones are bluish-green in color. The head is known to be coffin-shaped and slim or slender. The eyes are medium-sized and have rounded pupils. These reptiles are also known for their speed as they are fast-moving. Black mambas are known to be the second-largest venomous snake. The diet or food of green mambas depends on the various species and the terrestrial ones eat rodents and animals on the ground, while the arboreal ones prey on birds. Some prey include rats, lizards, and frogs.
Continue reading for more fascinating facts about the green mamba and if you are interested, read about the eastern green mamba and the hognose snake too.
It is a snake.
Green mambas belong to the class of reptiles.
The exact count or number of the global population of mambas has not been recorded or estimated.
Some species are native to the coastal regions of East Africa, while some species are native to the western part. The range includes Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Congo, eastern South Africa, Senegal, Gambia, and Ghana. The eastern green mamba lives in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and South Africa.
This snake is arboreal and prefers coastal areas that have dense or heavy vegetation. These snakes can be found in coastal dunes, bushlands, lowland tropical forests, and montane forests.
Not much is known about whether green mambas live in groups or alone.
The lifespan of a green mambas is around 12-20 years in captivity.
During the breeding season, it is believed that the adult males of this species engage in battles or fights to attract a female for mating. After mating, adult females are known to lay a clutch of eggs. Eggs may be laid in hollow trees, or hiding places like underground burrows. The number of eggs depends on the species. Hatching takes place after about two to three months and the young ones are known to be independent after hatching.
Green mambas are put under the Least Concern category of conservation status in the IUCN Red List.
This snake is known to be a large one. They have a slender and compressed body with a tapering tail that is medium to long. This arboreal snake species is known to have bright green-colored upperparts and sometimes yellow scales that may be isolated. The belly is pale or dull yellow in color. Juveniles or young ones are known to be bluish-green in color. The head is coffin-shaped and slim or slender. The eyes are medium-sized with rounded pupils and they are bordered with golden or ochre. This snake hsd short and fixed fangs at the front of the mouth.
These snakes are not considered cute.
Just like other snakes, these snakes also use tactile, visual, and chemical cues to communicate such as leaving a scent trail.
The length of green mambas is around 71 in (180 cm) for males and 78.7 in (200 cm) for females. This elapid species of snake is known to be longer than a smooth green snake and similar in length to a black racer snake.
This snake can move at a speed of about 12 mph (19 kph).
The weight of this snake species is known to be around 2.2-3.3 lb (1-1.5 kg).
There are no specific names for the males and females of this species.
There is no particular name for a baby of this mamba species but they are referred to as young ones or juveniles.
The diet of the green mamba snake species depends slightly on the regions and species. The terrestrial ones are known to feed or prey on rodents and animals living on the ground, while the tree-dwelling ones prey on birds. Some examples of prey include lizards, frogs, bats, squirrels, and rats.
These snakes are known to be highly poisonous and venomous. They cab kill a human in 30 minutes as it contains fast-acting snake venom.
Even though these snakes are venomous and bite when threatened or trapped, certain breeders and keepers are known to have green mambas.
There are four subspecies of this snake which are eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps), western green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis), black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepsis), and Jameson's mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni).
The length of mambas can be quite long.
The black mamba is known to be the second-largest venomous snake after the king cobra. Although they are named black mamba, the black mamba is gray or dark brown in color.
If a Jameson's mamba is not cornered, it has a tendency to flee from the predator or threat instead of attacking.
Some predators include mongooses, genets, snake eagles, and hornbills.
These snakes are known to bite when threatened or trapped and their bites can be fatal to humans. However, there have been very rare instances recorded as human interaction with this snake is very rare.
Due to their green-colored body, these snakes are referred to as green mambas.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our rosy boa facts and cat snake facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable angry snake coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.