How does Dendroaspis viridis habitat preference differ from Dendroaspis polylepis?

D. viridis is restricted to the tropical rainforest belt, whereas D. polylepis has colonized drier savanna environments

The distribution and preferred environment represent a key divergence between these closely related species. The Western Green Mamba, *Dendroaspis viridis*, shows a strong adherence to dense, moist forests and the tropical rainforest belt characteristic of West Africa. In sharp contrast, the Black Mamba, *Dendroaspis polylepis*, is noted for being highly adaptable, successfully colonizing significantly wider territories across sub-Saharan Africa, specifically including drier savanna environments. This difference underscores their distinct evolutionary paths driven by geographic isolation and adaptation to specialized ecological niches, as the green mamba's physiology is finely tuned to the dense canopy.