Mamba
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Dendroaspis | image = Mamba.jpg | image_width = 215px | image_caption = Black Mamba | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Reptilia | ordo = Squamata | familia = Elapidae | genus = Dendroaspis | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision =
- D. angusticeps - Eastern green mamba
- D. jamesoni - Jameson's mamba
- D. jamesoni jamesoni
- D. jamesoni kaimosea
- D. polylepsis - Black mamba
- D. polylepis polylepis
- D. viridis - Western green mamba
}}
Mambas, of the genus Dendroaspis, are tree dwelling extremely rapidly moving snakes of Africa. ("Dendroaspis" is literally "tree snake".) They are highly venomous, their venom containing neurotoxins, which can be fatal to humans without access to proper first aid and subsequent antivenom treatment.
These snakes reside in hollow insect mounds, abandoned burrows, and rock crevices. They are diurnal. During the day they actively hunt their prey of small mammals, birds and lizards. They return to the same lair nightly.
The Western green mamba (D. viridis) and Eastern green mamba, (D. angusticeps) can also be rapidly fatal, although considered less venomous than the Black mamba (D. polylepsis). They are slightly smaller, and are more arboreal.
External links
da:mamba de:Mambas nl:Zwarte mamba no:Svart mamba pl:Mamba fi:Mambat pt:Mamba zh:曼巴蛇