The eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) is a highly venomous snake native to the coastal regions of southern East Africa. First described by Scottish surgeon and zoologist Andrew Smith in 1849, the mamba has a slender build with bright green upperparts and yellow-green underparts. The adult female averages around 2.0 metres (6.6 ft) in length, and the male is slightly smaller. A shy and elusive species, it is rarely seen; its green colouration blends with its arboreal environment. It has been observed to lie in wait like many vipers instead of actively foraging. The eastern green mamba preys on birds, eggs, bats, and rodents such as mice, rats, and gerbils. Its venom consists of both neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. Symptoms in humans can include swelling of the bite site, dizziness and nausea, accompanied by difficulty breathing and swallowing, irregular heartbeat and convulsions. The most severe bites can quickly be fatal.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_green_mamba
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1940:
Second World War: During the Blitz, a semi-armour-piercing fragmentation bomb fell on the road above Balham station in London, which was being used as an air raid shelter, killing at least 64 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balham_station
1957:
After three days of heavy rain, the Turia overflowed and flooded the city of Valencia, Spain, causing at least 81 deaths. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_Valencia_flood
2014:
A snowstorm and series of avalanches occurred on and around the Himalayan peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, resulting in the deaths of at least 43 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Nepal_snowstorm_disaster
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
Woozle effect: The phenomenon whereby frequent citation of earlier publications leads to a mistaken public belief in something for which there is no evidence, giving rise to an urban myth. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Woozle_effect
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
The supreme quality for a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose. --Dwight D. Eisenhower https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dwight_D._Eisenhower
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