Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What experience do you guys have with the Green Mamba? Info like their size, behavior, enclosure requirements and venom potentcy would be appreciated.

Our facility keeps a number of mambas including Jameson's and Western Greens (and I have worked quite a bit with black mambas). Sizes vary but you can count on a snake that should reach at least 6-8' and beyond. As far as behavior goes, these are some of the wariest and alert snakes on earth. Although this makes them very appealing to me, I also realize that this is what makes them extremely dangerous to someone who may not have a lot of experience in working with hots; throw in lightning fast speed and you've got one well adapted animal that is beyond the abilities of most keepers. They are capable of sudden bursts and for that reason, it is always best to incorporate a good trap box system into your cage. I'm sort of in the middle of the road because my regular interaction in physically removing the mambas from the exhibit into a temporary cage allows the snakes to get to know me to some degree while establishing a good, consistent protocol for cage maintenance. But all thing being equal, trap boxes and minimal contact is the way to go. The more vertical space you can provide the better....4' tall cages will allow for plenty of climbing branches and basking opportunities. A little higher is even better but not always practical. I would recommend something in the neighborhood of 6' to 8' wide x 3' deep x 4' tall. These snakes will require moderate humidity so make sure the cage design takes that into consideration. My mambas get misted every other day and even though fresh water is provided in large, shallow bowls, they seem to prefer lapping up water that is gently misted on their mouths. Temperatures range from 75-78 deg F. cool side (day temps) to the mid to upper 80's warm side and a basking area that reaches 92-95 degrees which they will seek out for short durations. Night temps drop by 5-10 degrees (warm side only....I don't like my ambient temps to ever drop below the low 70's on the cool side) but they always have access to a warm area. Their venom is extremely potent; not sure what you want to know but lets just say it's a life threatening bite and w/out antivenin, your chances of survival are probably not too good.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>What experience do you guys have with the Green Mamba? Info like their size, behavior, enclosure requirements and venom potentcy would be appreciated.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Wow camichael.. all that info and no question as to his motives... Not ussually your style....I would like to add what I feel was greatly understanted... Mambas of any kind should not be owned By anyone except with the MOST experience and a bite will KILL YOU... just "not to good" doesnt cut it in my mind just in case you were thinking of getting one since we dont know your backround

All respect
PatrickR

You are right; the person caught me in a good moment I usually respond to a question if I don't see any obvious red flags (i.e. grammar of a first grader, harsh tone, obvious inexperience, etc.). This person was just looking for information and I didn't see any harm in it. But I do agree in that mambas of any type should only be kept by those with considerable experience.

>>Wow camichael.. all that info and no question as to his motives... Not ussually your style....I would like to add what I feel was greatly understanted... Mambas of any kind should not be owned By anyone except with the MOST experience and a bite will KILL YOU... just "not to good" doesnt cut it in my mind just in case you were thinking of getting one since we dont know your backround
>>
>>All respect
>>PatrickR
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I do not wish to get a mamba anytime soon, I think I'll stick with rattlesnakes. I was just curious about them.