Kenyan elapids

The elapids are a family of dangerous snakes.  African members of the family include the cobras, mambas, garter snakes and sea snakes.  All elapids have relatively short, erect, immovable poison fangs at the front of the upper jaw.  Eleven species of elapid occur on land in Kenya; two garter snakes, five cobras, three mambas and one tree cobra; one species of sea snake occurs off our coast.  All (apart from the garter snakes) are highly venomous, and several (especially the spitting cobras) are major causes of snakebite in rural Kenya.


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Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

Local Names:  Koboko (Swahili), Isembelei, Ikuuwa, Ivuu, Ivwau (Kikamba), Rai Ikombe (Dholuo), Kiplogoyon  (Kalenjin), Matangi (Luhya), Kiria Munyore (Tharaka), Tsatsapala (Mijikenda)  Cuthu (Kikuyu), Ilimanjiwu, Imilambimbi (Kitaita).


Identification:  A very large snake, up to 3.2 m, usually 1.5 – 2.5 m, may be grey, almost white, olive, brown, or yellow brown; paler below.  Head long.  Body often barred, and dry country specimens often heavily speckled towards tail.


Distribution:  Widespread in medium to low altitude savanna, woodland and coastal bush.  Apparently absent from most of dry northern Kenya and the highlands of the southwest.  Found near the following towns; Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi, Voi, Mtito Andei, Mwingi, Kisumu. 


Natural History:  Active by day (there is isolated records of night activity).  Shelters in termite hills, holes, holes in trees, rock fissures and beehives. Fast moving, when disturbed can spread a narrow hood  and opens mouth to show black interior. Eats mammals, birds.  Lays 10-15 eggs.


Conservation Significance: Does not co-exist well with humans due to its size, but widespread and found in the following conservation areas: Amboseli, Tsavo, Shimba Hills, Gede, Maasai Mara, Samburu, Buffalo Springs, Meru.


Medical Significance: Not aggressive and bites unlikely, as it tends to move away from confrontation.  However, venom is a strong neurotoxin and cardiotoxin, causing respiratory failure and death.  A black mamba bite must be treated as a medical emergency.  A polyvalent serum is available from South African Vaccine Producers.

Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angustoceps)

Local Names:  Koboko kijani (Swahili), Vunzarere, Vunzaparere (Mijikenda)


Identification:  A large snake, up to 2.3 m, usually 1.2 – 2 m, usually green, sometimes with a sprinkling of yellow scales, juveniles are bluish-green towards the tail (see bottom picture).


Distribution:  Largely a coastal snake in Kenya; found in thicket, woodland and forest.  Inland records: Kibwezi area, Chylul Hills, Kitobo Forest (Taveta), southern-eastern Nyambene Hills and Meru National Park. Found near the following towns; Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi. 


Natural History:  Active by day.  Shelters in thickets and tree holes.  Fast moving but secretive. Eats mammals, birds and arboreal lizards.  Lays up to 17 eggs.


Conservation Significance: Does not co-exist well with humans due to its size, but its secretive nature and habit of living high in trees means it often persists in coastal farms. Found in the following conservation areas; Gede, Arabuko-Sokoke, Shimba Hills, and other protected coastal forests.


Medical Significance: Not aggressive, rarely bites, moves away from confrontation.  However, venom is a strong neurotoxin so bites must be treated as a medical emergency.  A polyvalent serum is available from South African Vaccine Producers.

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