Black Mamba vs Green Mamba
They are snakes and more to the interest, they are venomous snakes in Africa. The article topic sounds like these are two snakes, but there two green mambas known as Eastern and Western species with one black mamba make the total to be three. If someone is bitten by a venomous snake, it could be life threatening. However, if the identification of the snake is correct, then the treatments are easy to perform. Therefore, it is very important to identify the venomous snakes correctly, and this article aims to discuss the differences between black and green mambas.
Black Mamba
Black mamba, Dendroaspis polylepis is one of the notoriously venomous snakes in Africa. It is a very important member among all the snakes being the fastest and the second longest venomous snake in the world. Their length could go as high as two and half metres. However, there have been specimens longer than four metres sometimes. In is interesting, how they got their common name, because their body colour is dull yellowish-green to metallic-grey, but the interior of the mouth is black to be called as black mambas. They are well adapted for a range of habitats, and commonly found in sugarcane lands. In an excited state, black mambas mimic cobras by spreading a neck flap, and they use their speed to evade the threats but not to hunt. In addition, they keep a substantial portion off the ground while moving on the ground. It is extremely rare to observe a survival after being bitten by a black mamba as it can deliver more than 120 milligrams of their venom, which consists neurotoxins to cause muscle paralysis. Usually within half an hour, a black mamba bitten human will die. They repeatedly strike their prey to immobilize as soon as possible. They live about 11 years in wild and more in captivity.
Green Mamba
The two species of green mambas are D. angusticeps (Eastern or common mamba), and D. viridis (western green mamba). Eastern green mamba is a native snake to the Eastern portion of Southern Africa, while Western green mamba is a long and thin venomous snake native to Western Africa. Green mambas are the smallest among mambas or in the genus Dendroaspis, but their lengths still reach two metres. Both green mambas are glossy and green in colour, with light green bellies. However, the glossy green scales especially on the head have a thin black outlining in Western green mamba, but not in Eastern species. Their body colourations are useful for them to hide in the evergreen forests of Africa. They often inhabit mango plantations as well. Green mambas’ venom consists of calcicludine and dendrotoxin with other neurotoxins, and they use those to prey on small animals. The injected volume of venom in one bite from a green mamba is relatively low, but treatments should be started immediately to save the life of the victim. Green mambas usually have a lifespan from 15 to 25 years in wild.
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What is the difference between Black Mamba and Green Mamba? • Both mambas live in Africa, but their respective home ranges are different. • Black mamba, western green mamba and eastern green mamba are different species of the same genus. • Black mamba is longer and heavier than green mambas. • Black mamba is the fastest snake in the world, but not the green mambas. • Black mamba is dull yellowish-green to metal-grey in colour, whereas green mambas are glossy green in colour. • The venom of the black mamba is more venomous with more volume injected at a time compared to green mambas. • The mortality rate from a bite is nearly 100% for black mambas, but it is not that high for green mambas. • Black mamba prefers dry habitats, whereas green mambas prefer wet and cooler habitats. • Green mambas are lighter and slender bodied, but black mambas are a little stout bodied.
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