Mamba
| Mamba | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Black mamba | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Subfamily: | Elapinae |
| Genus: | Dendroaspis Schlegel, 1848 |
| Species | |
 | |
D. polylepis
D. angusticeps
D. viridis | |
Mambas are fast-moving, highly venomous snakes of the genus Dendroaspis (which literally means "tree asp") in the family Elapidae. Four extant species are recognized currently; three are essentially arboreal and green in colour, whereas the black mamba, Dendroaspis polylepis, is largely terrestrial and generally brown or grey in colour. All are native to various regions in sub-Saharan Africa, and all are feared throughout their ranges, especially the black mamba. Africans have many legends and stories about mambas.