is also frequently known as the common green mamba, East African green mamba, white-mouthed mamba, or simply the green mamba. Description The eastern green mamba is a large snake, with a slightly compressed and very slender body with a medium to long tapering tail. Adult males average around in total length, while females average . This species rarely exceeds lengths of . In general, the total length is 4–4.3 times the length of the tail. The adult eastern green mamba has bright green upperparts—occasionally with isolated yellow scales—and a pale yellow-green belly. Sometimes they are duller-coloured before moulting. Juveniles are blue-green, becoming bright green when they are around long. The coffin-shaped head is long and slender, with a prominent canthus which is slightly demarcated from the neck. When threatened or otherwise aroused, the eastern green mamba is capable of flattening its neck area into a slight hood. The medium-sized eyes have round pupils, the borders of which have a narrow golden or ochre edge; the irises are olive green, becoming bright green posteriorly. The inside of the mouth may be white or bluish-white. Other green snakes are often called "green mambas" in Southern Africa, including green forms of the boomslang (Dispholidus typus), which can be distinguished by their larger eyes and shorter heads. They are also venomous. Green bushsnakes of the genus Philothamnus are also commonly confused with smaller Eastern green mambas. Scalation The number and pattern of scales on a snake's body are a key element of identification to species level. The eastern green mamba has between 17 and 21 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 201 to 232 ventral scales, 99 to 126 divided subcaudal scales, and a divided anal scale. Its mouth is lined with 7–9 supralabial scales above, the fourth one located under the eye, and 9–11 sublabial scales below. Its eyes have three preocular and 3–5 postocular scales. Distribution and habitat The eastern green mamba is native to regions near the coastlines of Southern Africa and East Africa. Its range extends from Kenya south through Tanzania, Malawi, eastern Zimbabwe and parts of Zambia; it can also be found in Zanzibar and northern Mozambique. An isolated and genetically distinct population is found in South Africa from the extreme northeastern part of Eastern Cape along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline and into southern Mozambique. An elusive species, it is primarily arboreal (living in trees) and usually well camouflaged in