Poisonwood Murderer

Over the summer, I read a very popular book by the name of The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Throughout her story, Kingsolver uses snakes consistently as a form of symbolism. SPOILER ALERT! IF YOU ARE READING THE BOOK, DO NOT READ FURTHER! Towards the end of the Price's journey in Kilanga, there had been an outbreak of poisonous snakes, green mambas. The local voodoo doctor claims that it is a sign from the gods, we later find that he was the one placing them into the houses and chicken coop. When I was trying to think of another reptile to write about, suddenly the green mamba came to mind.

Matching up with the book's setting of Africa, green mambas live in most of east Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Because green mambas are excellent tree climbers, it is only natural that they live in rain forests and wooded areas. They are the smallest of the mambas, about 1.8 to 3.7 meters, but that doesn't make them any less deadly. They are fast moving (7 mph) and highly venomous, but not as aggressive as their relatives, the black mambas. Though they often hunt in the trees for birds and eggs, they are also suitable hunters on the ground when food cannot be found in the air. Their venom is a neurotoxin that attacks the nerves of the prey and thins the blood, but it also assists in digesting the mamba's prey. Green mambas are generally docile up until mating season. Male mambas will complete a mating dance, a mambo if you will, with the other males until they reign victorious, then follow a scent trail to their lady love. After the couple celebrate with a little you-know-what, the female will lay a clutch of 10 to 15 eggs, each taking three months to grow into baby mambas.
These snakes can live up to 14 years in captivity. Luckily, I suppose, they are not threatened and thrive in their designated areas.

Scientific Name: Dendroaspis Augusticeps

Links: http://whozoo.org/Intro98/kevbrash/greenmamba2.htm