Jameson's mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Jameson's mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni) (origin: Central Africa – rainforest and gallery forest). Adult size around 180–250 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Jameson's mamba: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 250×190×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, mambas).
Jameson's mamba: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 31–33 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Jameson's mamba: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Jameson's mamba: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Jameson's mamba: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 31–33 °C
- Humidity
- 70–85 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 250×190×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, mambas)
- Substrate
- Coco humus, sturdy climbing branches, planting
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice, chicks
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 180–250 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- Central Africa – rainforest and gallery forest
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a neurotoxin; a dangerous animal under German state law
- Brumation
- None
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
An arboreal mamba with a black tail tip in the eastern form. Care as for the other green mambas.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) – Expert
- Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) – Expert
- Western green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis) – Expert
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
- Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) – Expert
- Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Jameson's mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 250×190×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, mambas)), substrate (Coco humus, sturdy climbing branches, planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamesons_Mamba, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Dendroaspis&species=jamesoni
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).