Most people have heard of the black mamba, but many don’t realize there are green mambas too.
And for those who do know that there are separate species, few know the differences between them beyond the obvious fact that one is black and the others are green.
Here are a few of the differences between black mambas and green mambas.
- Black mambas typically live on the ground while green mambas usually live in trees.
- Black mambas are longer than green mambas.
- Black mambas are faster than green mambas.
- Black mambas are considered more venomous than green mambas.
- Black mambas prefer dryer climates while green mambas live in wetter areas.
- There are differences in the main diet of each snake.
About Mambas
Did you know that there are actually four different species of mambas?
Although the black mamba seems to be the most well known, there are actually three that are green and only one that is black.
Different types of mambas
- Black mamba – dendroaspis polylepis
- Eastern green mamba – dendroaspis angusticeps
- Western green mamba – dendroaspis viridis
- Jameson’s mamba – dendroaspis jamesoni
All four can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, and all are feared for their fierce reputations and highly venomous bites.
They are all diurnal hunters, meaning they are active during the day rather than at night, and are one of Africa’s longest species of venomous snake, second only to the king cobra.
All four species of mambas are also known for being some of the fastest snakes in the world.
Despite these similarities, there are also key differences between black and green mambas beyond just their color.
Let’s look at these differences.
Difference In Mamba Habitats
One key difference between black and green mambas is their habitat.
Green mambas are tree dwellers.
Their green color blends in well with the green foliage, and they are excellent climbers. Although some, such as the western green mamba, are known to occasionally hunt on the ground, most green mambas spend the vast majority of their time maneuvering through tree branches.
Black mambas however, are considered terrestrial, meaning they stay mostly on the ground hunting through rock crevices, grasslands and in burrows.
I don’t think this is an entirely fair depiction of the black mamba though. These snakes are excellent tree climbers too!
They have no problem searching through the branches for a meal, and are often found doing so. They are every bit as good as their green counterparts when it comes to tree climbing
Black And Green Mamba Size Difference
Of the four species, black mambas are by far the longest.
They have an average length of 7-9 feet, and have been known to grow to as much as nearly 15 feet. That’s a long snake! In fact they are the second longest venomous snake species in the world, second only to the king cobra.
The shortest of the mamba species is the western mamba.
They have an average length of 4.5 – 7 feet, with the longest being just shy of eight feet. I think it’s funny to consider a seven foot long snake short!
The eastern mamba and the Jameson mamba are pretty close in size to one another.
The Jameson mamba averages between five and seven feet, while the eastern mamba comes in slightly longer at 6-8. The max size found for the Jameson mamba however, is nearly nine feet long while the eastern seems to have maxed out closer to eight feet.
Difference In Black And Green Speed
The average speed of a green mamba is around 7 mph.
That’s close to the jogging speed of the average person. Not bad considering they are slithering on their bellies instead of running with legs and feet with shoes on!
The black mamba is faster though, with speeds clocked as high as 12.5 mph. That’s fast! Can you move on your belly that fast?
Despite their speed, they still aren’t fast enough to support the myriad of myths out there saying that they chase people down and overtake them. I’ve also heard a myth that they can outrun a horse!
They’re a fast snake, just not THAT fast.
Difference In Black And Green Mamba Venom
There’s no question these are dangerous snakes, but the black mamba seems to be the most dangerous of the four.
There are a few reasons for this.
- Black mamba venom is more potent. When measuring the potency of venom, scientists use a measurement called LD50. Basically what this measures is the amount of venom it takes to kill 50% of the animals (typically mice) it is tested on. Green mambas have an LD50 around .75mg. That means it takes .75mg of green mamba venom to kill 50% of the mice receiving that dosage. The black mamba on the other hand has an LD50 closer to .33mg. It only takes half as much venom to kill the same number of mice!
- Black mambas tend to deliver more venom with each bite than their green counterparts. Green mambas deliver around 80mg of venom per bite, and black mambas deliver an average of 120mg of venom per bite. Combined with the more potent venom, that makes this snake bite extremely dangerous!
- Black mambas are the more aggressive of the four mamba species. Don’t let this fool you. They still prefer to run and hide rather than attack. In fact they have been observed fleeing when humans get to within 30-40 yards or so of them. When they do attack however, they do so viciously and with intent, often biting multiple times.
All four species of mambas have what are called neurotoxins. These are toxins in the venom that attack the nervous system.
They can cause things such as respiratory failure and cardiovascular collapse which ultimately leads to death.
Prior to the creation of antivenom, a mamba snake bite was pretty much a guaranteed death sentence. Deaths caused by mamba bites are much rarer now thanks to modern science.
Difference In Black And Green Mamba Climates
Here are the different natural habitats for each of the four mamba species.
Black mamba – Found throughout much of central Africa. These snakes prefers elevations below 3,000 feet and can be seen in rocky hills, savannas, scrub and light woodland.
Eastern green mamba – These snakes live near the coast lands of eastern and southern Africa. They prefer tropical rain forests and coastal lowlands.
Western green mamba – Located in the coastal tropical rainforests in northwestern Africa. You will rarely find them outside of areas that receive at least 60 inches of rain per year.
Jameson’s mamba – This mamba is the most wide spread, though it might be the most arboreal of the four. They can be found throughout northwestern, western and central Africa anywhere there is woodland. Although they prefer rainforest type areas, they can also be found in woodlands and forest-savanna.
Differences In Black And Green Mamba Diets
Whereas all four mambas eat a variety of mammals, birds, lizards and possible even other snakes, the diet of the three green mambas is more heavily dependent on arboreal type animals.
The green mambas are fond of raiding nests for eggs, hunting for sleeping bats, catching squirrels and even snatching birds out of midair!
Black mambas on the other hand eat more rodents and ground dwelling mammals in addition to the occasional bird or egg.
Physical Differences Between Black And Green Mambas
So far we’ve stated the obvious physical differences between the four mambas. Three are green, one is black, and each one grows to different lengths.
There is another physical difference between these snakes though.
It’s the biggest difference of all, but can sometimes be the hardest to identify, especially on a moving snake.
It’s called scalation. Scalation refers to the scales and scale patterns on a snake, and they are one of the main factors in determining differences in snake species.
Each scale on a snakes body has its own identification. The scales around a snakes nostrils for example, are known as the nasals. The scales around the lips are referred to as the labials, and the list goes on.
Counting the number of scales in any given area helps scientists determine a species of snake.
For example, many grass snakes and rat snakes have nostrils that are between nasal scales, while vipers have nostrils that are located in one big nasal scale.
The scales I want to point out on mambas are the dorsal scales. These are the main scales on the back and sides of snakes. They can be counted near the head, the middle of the body or a heads length above their rear vent.
You count them in rows by by going diagonally from one side of the snake to the other.
Each species of mamba has a different number of rows of dorsal scales around the middle of their bodies.
Eastern green mambas have 17–21 rows.
Western green mambas have 11-15 rows.
Jameson’s mambas have 15-17 rows.
Black mambas have 23-25 rows.
Summary
Mambas are amazing snakes.
They are some of the longest, fastest and most venomous snakes in the world. Despite the many similarities between each species, there are also numerous differences between black and green mambas.
Some are obvious such as color, while others are less noticeable like their rows of scales.
One other difference not listed above has to do with mating. Green mambas mate almost exclusively in trees while black mambas mate on the ground.
If you would like to learn more about mambas, check out our Black Mamba Facts page!