Elapids are differentiated from the other major family of venomous snakes, Viperidae, by their venom delivery system.

The genus has 12–13 species who are morphologically distinct from the genus Naja and the Afro-elapids according to McDowell (1987).

Elapids are a family of venomous snakes, and include some of the world's most deadly snakes (like the black mamba).

This is in contrast to most elapid species, including other mambas, who tend to actively hunt or forage for prey.

Elapids — like cobras, kraits and mambas — have fixed, hollow fangs through which they inject venom.

The venom of N. christyi is not well studied, but it is believed that the venom is dangerously neurotoxic, like that of most elapids.

Eventually, as it became clear just how closely related the sea snakes are to the elapids, the taxonomic situation became less well-defined.

Eventually, as just how closely related the sea snakes are to the elapids became clear, the taxonomic situation became less well-defined.

Bites by kraits (Bungarus), coral snakes (Micrurus, Micruroides), some other elapids and sea snakes may cause no local envenoming.

Elapids have hollow, permanently erect, relatively short fangs in the front of the mouth that channel venom into the prey.

The venom of this species is not well studied, but it is believed that the venom is dangerously neurotoxic, like that of most elapids.

No one has yet been able to convincingly work out the phylogenetic relationships between the various elapid subgroups, and the situation is still unclear.

This is followed later on by symptoms typical of other elapid envenomations: a progressive flaccid paralysis, starting with ptosis and paralysis of voluntary muscles.

This is followed later on by symptoms typical of other elapid envenomations, a progressive flaccid paralysis, starting with ptosis and paralysis of voluntary muscles.

Their fangs are also longer and more mobile than for most other elapids, although still far from the size seen in some of the true vipers.