Western Green Mamba — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Western Green Mamba — origin: West Africa: coastal rainforests and wooded areas from Senegal and the Gambia to southwestern Nigeria (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin). A species of rainforest canopy and forest edge..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–26 °C

Warm side28–30 °C

Basking spot30–33 °C

A diurnal, heliophilic species that thermoregulates up high: provide an arboreal hot spot around 30-33 °C (guarded to prevent any burns), a gradient down to the cool zone, and a moderate nighttime drop to around 22-24 °C. Avoid excessive temperatures and unguarded hot spots.

Enclosure (adult)

120 × 60 × 150 cm

Tall arboreal terrarium, very well ventilated, fully lockable and escape-proof (a fast venomous species)

Minimum dimensions for an adult; larger and taller is strongly recommended for this very active species. Key-locking mandatory, a safety airlock advised, no opening through which the animal could pass. Numerous horizontal/diagonal climbing supports, sturdy branches and dense foliage up high to provide refuges and reduce stress.

Humidity

60–80 %

Humid tropical conditions but VERY well ventilated: stagnant humidity promotes respiratory infections. Daily misting, with a humidity peak during sheds.

Substrate

Coco fiberOrchid bark / forest topsoilSphagnum mossFree-draining bioactive substrate

A substrate that retains moisture while staying aerated to avoid stagnation and mold. The role of the floor remains secondary for this arboreal species: prioritize the vertical layout.

UVB

Recommended

Low to moderate UVB recommended for this diurnal species (Ferguson zone 2-3, target UVI ~2-3 at the high perches); pair it with a regular day/night cycle. Provide shaded areas.

Water source

Always available

Large container of clean water on the floor, renewed daily; the animal also drinks droplets on the foliage after misting. Maintain strict hygiene.

Origin

Elapidae

West Africa: coastal rainforests and wooded areas from Senegal and the Gambia to southwestern Nigeria (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin). A species of rainforest canopy and forest edge.

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore — Birds, small rodents, bats and arboreal lizards in the wild

In captivity, dead/thawed prey suited to the snake's girth (mice, rats, chicks). Feed at a distance with long tongs for safety reasons. Adults fed roughly every 7-14 days; do not overfeed.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 6–14 eggs/young. Clutch generally of 6 to 14 eggs. Incubation of about 85-90 days around 27-30 °C with high humidity; indicative values, captive breeding data limited.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (insufficient ventilation, stagnant humidity, unsuitable temperatures)
Stomatitis (mouth rot / oral infection)
Dysecdysis (difficult shedding) and rostral abrasions caused by stress and rubbing against the walls
Internal and external parasites, common in wild-caught animals
Thermal burns and injuries linked to unguarded heat sources or to nervousness

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 2 documented genes for Western Green Mamba.

Axanthic (Blue Phase) blue mambaRec
Xanthic (Yellow Phase)Rec

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Western Green Mamba × Western Green Mamba

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the western green mamba.

Is this green mamba dangerous to humans?▾

Yes, it is a venomous snake whose bite, caused by a potent neurotoxic and cardiotoxic venom, is life-threatening and requires immediate hospitalization. Keeping it is reserved exclusively for experienced keepers who are legally authorized to hold venomous elapids.

Why does its enclosure need to be so tall?▾

It is a strictly arboreal species that lives in the canopy: it needs a tall terrarium of at least 120 x 60 x 150 cm, with numerous horizontal and diagonal climbing supports, sturdy branches and dense foliage up high to feel secure. The whole setup must remain fully lockable and escape-proof, with a safety airlock advisable given how dangerous it is.

How big does it get and how do you recognize it?▾

Adults typically measure between 140 and 180 cm, with record individuals exceeding 210 cm; the body is very slender and agile, and the long, prehensile tail often ends in a yellow, tan or rust-colored tip.

Is it aggressive or easy to handle?▾

It is nervous, quick and rather flighty, less aggressive than the black mamba, but it bites without hesitation if it feels cornered on its perch. It is also an extremely fast and unpredictable climber, which makes any handling particularly risky.

What temperatures and humidity should be maintained?▾

Aim for a sheltered arboreal hot spot between 30 and 33 °C, a warm zone of 28-30 °C, a cool side of 24-26 °C and a moderate nighttime drop toward 22-24 °C. Humidity must stay high, between 60 and 80%, but always paired with very good ventilation, with daily misting and a humidity peak during sheds.

What does it eat and how do you feed it safely?▾

In the wild, it hunts birds, small rodents, bats and arboreal lizards; in captivity it is given dead or thawed prey (mice, rats, chicks) sized to match its girth. Feeding is always done at a distance with long tongs, roughly every 7-14 days, without overfeeding adults.

Does it need UVB?▾

Low to moderate UVB is recommended for this diurnal species, targeting a UVI of around 2-3 at the level of the high perches (Ferguson zone 2-3), while keeping shaded areas available.

How does it stay hydrated?▾

It has a large container of clean water on the floor, refreshed daily, but it also readily drinks droplets left on the foliage after misting — a behavior typical of arboreal species.

What is its lifespan, and should you be wary of animals in the trade?▾

Life expectancy is around 12 to 18 years in well-maintained captivity. Many specimens offered for sale are stressed, parasitized wild-caught animals, whose initial life expectancy drops sharply if acclimatization goes poorly.

What health problems should you watch for?▾

Insufficient ventilation or stagnant humidity promotes respiratory infections and stomatitis, while stress and rubbing against the walls can cause difficult shedding and snout abrasions. Wild-caught animals often arrive carrying parasites, and unprotected heat sources risk causing thermal burns.

Is it known how it breeds in captivity?▾

It is an egg-laying species, with clutches of 6 to 14 eggs incubated for about 85-90 days around 27-30 °C with high humidity. Data on its captive breeding remain limited, however, so these figures are mainly indicative.

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