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Eastern green mamba
The eastern green mamba (''Dendroaspis angusticeps''), also known as the common mamba, East African green mamba, green mamba, or white-mouthed mamba, is a large arboreal and highly venomous snake species of the mamba genus ''Dendroaspis''. This species of mamba was first described by a Scottish surgeon and zoologist in 1849. This snake mostly inhabits the coastal regions of southern East Africa. It is a relatively large species of venomous snake, with adult females averaging approximately in total length, while males are slightly smaller on average. It is an arboreal species that preys on adult birds, eggs, bats, and terrestrial rodents such as mice, rats, and gerbils. Eastern green mambas are somewhat unusual among mambas, and elapids in general. They are shy and elusive snakes which are rarely seen. The scarcity of observations is usually attributed to this species' cryptic colouration and arboreal lifestyle; however, low activity levels associated with a sedentary foraging pattern might be an alternative explanation for its inconspicuousness. A 27-day observation of two adult eastern green mambas from the coastal forest of Gede/Jimba, Kenya conducted by Michael Angilletta showed that the eastern green mamba is not a typical active foraging elapid, but rather it is a "sit-and-wait" or ambush type predator (like most Viperidae).
Like other species of mamba, the eastern green mamba is a highly venomous species, capable of killing several humans with the venom in a single bite. Its venom is made up of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurotoxins (dendrotoxins), cardiotoxins, calcicludine, and fasciculins. The venom itself is of low molecular weight and is extremely rapid-acting, spreading through tissue very quickly and effectively. The dendrotoxins common to all species within the genus ''Dendroaspis'' is the most rapid-acting snake venom toxin known, so although this species is not aggressive and is not a major cause of snakebite incidents in Africa, the mortality rate associated with those bitten is rather high. A bite rapidly progresses to severe, life-threatening symptoms that are hallmarks of mamba bites. These symptoms include swelling of the bite site, dizziness, and nausea, accompanied by difficulty breathing and swallowing, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and rapid progression to respiratory paralysis. Bites that produce severe envenomation can be rapidly fatal. Case reports of rapidly fatal outcomes, in as little as 30 minutes, have been recorded for this species.
==Taxonomy==
The eastern green mamba is classified under the genus ''Dendroaspis'' of the family Elapidae. ''Dendroaspis angusticeps'' was first described by a Scottish surgeon and zoologist, Dr. Andrew Smith in 1849. The generic name, ''Dendroaspis'', is derived from Ancient Greek – ''Dendro'', which means "tree", and ''aspis'' (ασπίς) or "asp", which' is understood to mean "shield", but it also denotes "cobra" or simply "snake". In old texts, ''aspis'' or asp was used to refer to ''Naja haje'' (in reference to the hood, like a shield). Thus, "Dendroaspis" literally means ''tree snake'', which refers to the arboreal nature of most of the species within the genus. The specific name ''angusticeps'' is derived from the Latin word ''angustus'', which means "narrow" and ''-ceps'' is also Latin and is derived from the word "cephalicus" which means "head" or "of or relating to the head", calling attention to the long narrow head of this species. In addition to being called the eastern green mamba, this species is also commonly known as the common green mamba, East African green mamba, white-mouthed mamba, or just simply the green mamba.
The genus was first described by the German ornithologist and herpetologist Hermann Schlegel in 1848. Slowinski ''et al.'' (1997) pointed out that the relationships of the African genus ''Dendroaspis'' are problematical. However, evidence suggests that ''Dendroaspis'', ''Ophiophagus'', ''Bungarus'', and ''Hemibungarus'' form a solid non-coral snake Afro-Asiatic clade.
抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』
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