Dendroaspis viridis Family: Elapidae Subfamily: Elapinae Genus: Dendroaspis Species: viridis Common Names Hallowell's Green Mamba , Western Green Mamba , West African Green Mamba , Region Sub-Saharan Africa Countries Benin, Cote d'Ivoire ( Ivory Coast ), Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo   Taxonomy and Biology Adult Length: 1.40 m General Shape Large in length, slightly compressed, very slender bodied snake with a long tapering tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 2.40 metres. Head is narrow and elongate, with a distinct canthus and slightly distinct from neck. Neck may be flattened when snake is aroused, but there is no hood. Eyes are medium in size with round pupils and yellow brown iris. Dorsal scales are oblique, smooth, and exceptionally large and narrow ( each dorsal, except the one bordering the ventral row, is equivalent to 2 ventrals in length ). Habitat Coastal tropical rainforest, thicket and woodland. Mainly found in the closed forests, but persists in areas where the tree cover has been removed, providing that sufficient hedges and thicket remain. Found in some suitably vegetated suburbs and towns and parklands therein. Habits Diurnal and terrestrial with strong arboreal tendencies. Equally at home hunting and feeding on prey on the ground or in trees. Usually sleeps on tree branches that offer dense cover. Alert, nervous and extremely agile snake. If approached it will usually escape swiftly up a tree if possible. Only likely to bite if cornered or provoked. Not known to flatten its neck or spread a narrow hood. Prey Actively pursue their prey, striking rapidly and often until prey succumbs to the venom. Mainly feeds on rodents, birds and small mammals. Species Map Small (Approx 20k) version   Venom General: Venom Neurotoxins Dendrotoxins & fasciculins General: Venom Myotoxins Not present General: Venom Procoagulants Not present General: Venom Anticoagulants Not present General: Venom Haemorrhagins Not present General: Venom Nephrotoxins Not present General: Venom Cardiotoxins Not present General: Venom Necrotoxins Not present General: Venom Other Not present or not significant   Clinical Effects General: Dangerousness Severe envenoming possible, potentially lethal General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown but likely to be high General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown but has caused deaths General: Local Effects Local pain & swelling General: Local Necrosis Uncommon but can be moderate General: General Systemic Effects Variable non-specific effects which may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions General: Neurotoxic Paralysis Common, flaccid paralysis is major clinical effect General: Myotoxicity Not likely to occur General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages Unlikely to occur General: Renal Damage Unlikely to occur General: Cardiotoxicity Unlikely to occur General: Other Increased sweating, salivation, "gooseflesh".   First Aid Description: First aid for bites by Elapid snakes which do not cause significant injury at the bite site (see Comments for partial listing), but which may have the potential to cause significant general (systemic) effects, such as paralysis, muscle damage, or bleeding. Details 1. After ensuring the patient and onlookers have moved out of range of further strikes by the snake, the bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically. The basis for reassurance is the fact that many venomous bites do not result in envenoming, the relatively slow progression to severe envenoming (hours following elapid bites, days following viper bites) and the effectiveness of modern medical treatment. 2. The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the wound must not be massaged. For Australian snakes only, do not wash or clean the wound in any way, as this may interfere with later venom detection once in a hospital. 3. All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be removed, as they may act as tourniquets if oedema develops. 4. If the bite is on a limb, a broad bandage (even torn strips of clothing or pantyhose) should be applied over the bitten area at moderate pressure (as for a sprain; not so tight circulation is impaired), then extended to cover as much of the bitten limb as possible, including fingers or toes, going over the top of clothing rather than risking excessive limb movement by removing clothing. The bitten limb should then be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling. 5. If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention. 6. Do not use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric shock. 7. Avoid peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration. 8. If the offending snake has been killed it should be brought with the patient for identification (only relevant in areas where there are more than one naturally occurring venomous snake species), but be careful to avoid touching the head, as even a dead snake can envenom. No attempt should be made to pursue the snake into the undergrowth as this will risk further bites. 9. The snakebite victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person (health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back. 10. Most traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision, excision, amputation, suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus), injection or instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on.   Treatment Treatment Summary Mamba bites can cause severe, even lethal systemic (paralytic) effects. They require urgent assessment & treatment. Admit at least overnight. Urgent antivenom therapy is the most important treatment. Key Diagnostic Features Local pain, swelling, possibly necrosis, systemic paralysis, neuroexcitatory features General Approach to Management All cases should be treated as urgent & potentially lethal. Rapid assessment & commencement of treatment including appropriate antivenom (if indicated & available) is mandatory. Admit all cases. Antivenom Therapy Antivenom is the key treatment for systemic envenoming. Multiple doses may be required. Antivenoms 1. Antivenom Code: SAfIBM01 Antivenom Name: Antivipmyn Africa Manufacturer: Instituto Bioclon Phone: ++56-65-41-11 Address: Calzada de Tlalpan No. 4687 Toriello Guerra C.P. 14050 Mexico, D.F., Country: Mexico 2. Antivenom Code: SAfSPF02 Antivenom Name: FAV-Afrique Manufacturer: Sanofi-Pasteur Phone: +33 (0)4 37 37 01 00 Address: 2, Avenue Pont Pasteur, CEDEX 07, Lyon 69367 Country: France   Images Dendroaspis viridis ( Hallowell's Green Mamba ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Wolfgang Wuster ] Dendroaspis viridis ( Hallowell's Green Mamba ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Click here for larger version Click here for larger version