The Brazilian White Knee Tarantula is a species of tarantula native to the Amazon basin of Northern Brazil. It is commonly referred to as the Brazilian giant whiteknee tarantula
in reference its brilliant black and white banded legs. This is a large
species, fast growing and taking up to 3–4 years to reach a mature
leg-span of 8.5 (21.59 cm)
inches for females.
These tarantulas have been much prized as pets, due to their size,
hardiness, and striking colouration. They are moderately defensive, and
their urticating hairs
can be quite irritating to human skin. These spiders, like many
un-domesticated pets, can bite when provoked. Fortunately because they
have urticating hairs, biting is typically not their first line of
defence. Their venom is not considered medically significant, but due to
their large size the puncture wounds can be damaging.
The eastern green mamba is a large and highly venomous snake species of the mamba genus Dendroaspis. This species of mamba was first described by a Scottish surgeon and zoologist in 1849. This snake mostly inhabits the coastal regions of southern East Africa.
It is a relatively large species of venomous snake, with adult females averaging approximately 2.0 metres (6.6 ft) in total length, while males are slightly smaller on average. It is an arboreal species that preys on adult birds, eggs, bats, and terrestrial rodents such as mice, rats, and gerbils. Eastern green mambas are somewhat unusual among mambas, and elapids in general. They are shy and elusive snakes which are rarely seen. The scarcity of observations is usually attributed to this species' cryptic colouration and arboreal lifestyle; however, low activity levels associated with a sedentary foraging pattern might be an alternative explanation for its inconspicuousness.A 27-day observation of two adult eastern green mambas from the coastal forest of Gede/Jimba, Kenya conducted by Michael Angilletta showed that the eastern green mamba is not a typical active foraging elapid, but rather it is a "sit-and-wait" or ambush type predator (like most Viperidae). Like other species of mamba, the eastern green mamba is a highly venomous species, capable of killing several humans with the venom in a single bite
They are shy and elusive snakes which are rarely seen. The scarcity of observations is usually attributed to this species' cryptic colouration and arboreal lifestyle; however, low activity levels associated with a sedentary foraging pattern might be an alternative explanation for its inconspicuousness.A 27-day observation of two adult eastern green mambas from the coastal forest of Gede/Jimba, Kenya conducted by Michael Angilletta showed that the eastern green mamba is not a typical active foraging elapid, but rather it is a "sit-and-wait" or ambush type predator (like most Viperidae). Like other species of mamba, the eastern green mamba is a highly venomous species, capable of killing several humans with the venom in a single bite. Its venom is made up of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurotoxins(dendrotoxins), cardiotoxins, calcicludine, and fasciculins. The venom itself is of low molecular weight and is extremely rapid-acting, spreading through tissue very quickly and effectively. The dendrotoxins common to all species within the genus Dendroaspis is the most rapid-acting snake venom toxin known, so although this species is not aggressive and is not a major cause of snakebite incidents in Africa, the mortality rate associated with those bitten is rather high. A bite rapidly progresses to severe, life-threatening symptoms that are hallmarks of mamba bites. These symptoms include swelling of the bite site, dizziness, and nausea, accompanied by difficulty breathing and swallowing, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and rapid progression to respiratory paralysis. Bites that produce severe envenomation can be rapidly fatal. Case reports of rapidly fatal outcomes, in as little as 30 minutes, have been recorded for this species.
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_green_mamba
These tarantulas have been much prized as pets, due to their size,
hardiness, and striking colouration. They are moderately defensive, and
their urticating hairs
can be quite irritating to human skin. These spiders, like many
un-domesticated pets, can bite when provoked. Fortunately because they
have urticating hairs, biting is typically not their first line of
defence. Their venom is not considered medically significant, but due to
their large size the puncture wounds can be damaging.
