  mambas are fast-moving, terrestrial, venomous snakes of the genus dendroaspis (literally "tree asp") in the family elapidae. there are four extant species. native to africa, they are feared throughout their ranges, especially the black mamba. in africa, there are many legends and stories describing these snakes. ==behavior== most of the members of this genus (for example green mambas) are arboreal. however, the black mamba is terrestrial. they are diurnal: during the day, they actively hunt their prey of small mammals, birds, and lizards, and return to the same lair nightly. mambas are related to the cobras, which are also elapids; their threat display is similar and involves stretching to form a somewhat smaller "hood", while gaping their mouth. many people believe that the black mamba will chase and attack humans. however, this is probably a misunderstanding due to the speed with which this species can move. the black mamba usually uses its speed to escape from threats. humans are actually their main predators, rather than their prey. the snakes generally avoid contact with humans. ==venom== alt=|thumb|an agitated mamba all mambas are highly venomous. their venoms consist mostly of neurotoxins (known as dendrotoxins). besides the neurotox
Afrikaans_words_and_phrases Elapidae Mambas Snakes_of_Africa