Dendroaspis

Dendroaspis is a genus of fast-moving, highly venomous snakes in the family Elapidae, commonly known as mambas. Four extant species are currently recognized; three are essentially arboreal and green in colour, while the black mamba, Dendroaspis polylepis, is largely terrestrial and generally brown or grey. All four species are native to various regions of sub-Saharan Africa and are feared throughout their ranges, especially the black mamba, with many African legends and stories built around them.