Description
Smaller than the black mamba, but larger than the eastern green mamba and the Jameson's mamba the western green mamba is a long and very slender bodied snake with a long tapering tail. It is the largest of the arboreal mambas. The average length of an adult snake of this species is between 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) and 2.2 metres (7.2 ft). Most are around 1.8 metres (5.9 ft), but specimens measuring around 2 metres (6.6 ft) are quite common also. Some specimens of this species can grow to maximum lengths of 3.2 metres (10 ft), making this species along with the forest cobra tied as the second longest venomous snakes in Africa. The head is narrow and elongate, with a distinct canthus and slightly distinct from the neck. On rare occasions the neck may be flattened when the snake is aroused, but there is no hood. Eyes are medium in size with round pupils and a yellow brown iris. Although the vast majority of specimens are greenish-yellow, olive green, or emerald green in colour, some specimens have shown different colouration. Although very rare, light blue or full yellow specimens do occur. The scales of the body of this species have a black edging. The dorsal scales of this snake are oblique, smooth, narrow, and exceptionally large for an elapid.
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