What is the primary action of the Western Green Mamba's neurotoxic venom?
Answer
It attacks the central nervous system.
The venom injected by the Western Green Mamba is predominantly classified as neurotoxic. This classification means that the toxins directly target and interfere with the function of the central nervous system. When a significant envenomation occurs, symptoms rapidly develop, involving severe pain, visual disturbances such as blurred vision, excessive sweating, vertigo, and critically, progressing to paralysis. If this paralysis affects the respiratory muscles, it can lead to respiratory failure, necessitating immediate and specialized medical intervention, even though antivenom is available.
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