Local residents and reptile enthusiasts in Tilburg are captivated by the snake, because the green mamba that escaped there on Tuesday has not yet been found. Not so nice for local residents, but what kind of animal are we actually talking about? And what does a green mamba do? According to biologist Freek Vonk, the dangerous animal will not hesitate to literally bite away.
In a video on social media, Freek Vonk calls on people in Tilburg to pay extra attention to their surroundings. “It’s a very venomous snake,” he says.
Despite the danger, Vonk thinks the green mambas are beautiful animals to see. “So long and slender, with green-yellow scales and a beautiful black edge,” Vonk begins to say. “They are among the fastest snakes in the world. But they are also very nervous snakes, they are super alert.” Green mambas are not likely to bite, but do not hesitate to defend themselves when things get tense. “They are not aggressive, but defensive,” says Vonk. “And they prefer to avoid confrontations.”
“Someone has even died after half an hour.”
Keeping a green mamba is legal in the Netherlands. It is also safe, if you handle it properly. But that doesn’t mean they can’t bite. In fact, according to Vonk, the extremely nervous, bright green reptile from the Tilburg district of Loven may be stiff with adrenaline and not hesitate to literally bite away.
If you are bitten, you may experience a variety of symptoms. Vonk mentions a laundry list that the entire province probably cannot close an eye to. “The poison can take effect within fifteen minutes. Someone has even died after half an hour,” he says.
The symptoms start with swelling and pain. “You will then experience headaches, nausea, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or convulsions. You may also experience problems with your brain due to the nerve poison that the snake releases. Your breathing muscles can become paralyzed, which can be fatal,” sums up. the biologist.
It is clear: it is better not to get too close to the poisonous snake. According to zookeeper Martijn van Heijst of De Oliemeulen, you should definitely not be near where the snake escaped. They are usually found again in exactly the same room. “They like to sit in dark, warm places,” says Van Heijst. “Think of places near radiators, cavity walls or heating pipes.”
“It’s not like if you get bit you immediately fall down.”
As a little reassurance for the green mamba’s severe list of symptoms, Van Heijst also has soothing news about the hiding snake. “It’s not like if you get bit you immediately fall down,” he explains. “Certainly not in the Netherlands. Here, emergency services are always quite close.” The animal normally occurs mainly in the tropical rainforest in western Africa. Then you run slightly less risk of acute death in the north of Tilburg.
Nevertheless, you have to be careful. “If you know a little about it, it’s not a problem. But as a layman I wouldn’t approach it,” says the zookeeper.
Watch Freek Vonk’s message below:
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Local residents were excited that the snake had escaped:
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