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Elapidae

Elapidae
 
Egyptian Cobra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae
Genera

Aspidelaps
Boulengerina
Bungarus
Calliophus
Dendroaspis
Elapsoide
Hemachtus
Hemibungarus
Homoroselaps
Maticora
Micruroides
Micrurus
Naja
Ophiophagus
Paranaja
Pseudohaje
Walterinnesia

The Elapidae family of venomous snakes includes the cobras, mambas, sea snakes and coral snakes. The Elapids have hollow fangs located at the front of the mouth, but these fangs cannot be erected like those of the true vipers belonging to the Viperidae family. Instead, Elapids must actually bite their prey instead of stabbing at it like a true viper.

The type genus was originally called Elaps, but it was moved to another family. When this happens in botany, the family is renamed, but here, the genus was renamed Homoroselaps. It was later moved back to Elapidae, but not to the subfamily Elapinae.

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