Jameson's mamba

The Jameson's mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni), also known as Traill's green mamba and Jameson's green mamba, is a quick, highly arboreal and highly venomous species of snake native to Africa. It belongs to the genus Dendroaspis and the family Elapidae. The species has two subspecies, the nominate subspecies Dendroaspis jamesoni jamesoni, which will be the main subspecies described in this article, and the second subspecies Dendroaspis jamesoni kaimosae. In describing the nominate subspecies, the second subspecies D. j. kaimosae will also be described as they are both very similar snakes. The main difference between the two subspecies are the scalation and geographical distribution. D. j. kaimosae occurs in the eastern part of this species' geographical range, which is why it is called the East African Jameson's mamba.

Etymology
The Jameson's mamba was first described by Traill in 1849. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek word - Dendroaspis meaning "tree asp" (dendro is "tree", while aspis is "asp" which is understood to mean a "venomous snake") and the etymology of the name "jamesoni" is unknown.

Description
This species is a long, slightly compressed, very slender bodied snake with a medium length tapering tail that is often yellow in colour. This large and arboreal snake have a average length of 1.5 m to 2.2 m, but they can grow up to 2.7 m and around 20-30% of the total length is the tail. They tend to be very similar to the Western green mamba in colouration and like the Western green mamba, the scales of the body of this species have black edgings as well. They are usually a dark green, but lighter yellowish green specimens are also common. The ventral side is usually either pale green or yellowish in colour. Jameson's mamba's have a narrow and elongated head is, with a distinct canthus and slightly distinct from the neck. Like the Western green mamba, the neck may be flattened when the snake is aroused, but there is no real hood. The eyes are medium in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are oblique, smooth and narrow.

Scalation
Dendroaspis jamesoni jamesoni: Dorsal scales at midbody 15-19,   Ventrals 210-235,   Subcaudals 94-122,   Subcaudals are Paired,   Anal plate is Divided,  Upper labials 7-9,   Preoculairs 3,  Postoculairs 3,  Lower labials 8-10,     Temporales 2+1 variable.

Dendroaspis jamesoni kaimosae: Dorsal scales at midbody 15-19,  Ventrals 209-227,  Subcaudals 94-113,     Subcaudals are Paired,   Anal plate is Divided,  Upper labials 7-9,  Preoculairs 3,  Postoculairs 3-5,  Lower labials 9-11,       Temporales 2+3 variable.