Broadley (2001) reviewed the systematics of the genus Thelotornis in eastern Africa. The populations from the Usambara mountains of Tanzania were described as a new species, T. usambaricus. In addition, the populations of Thelotornis capensis from eastern Africa (from central Mozambique northwards) are raised to the status of a full species, T. mossambicanus (Bocage). Broadley thus recognises the following taxa of Thelotornis: T. kirtlandii (Hallowell) from the forests of central and western Africa; T. usambaricus Broadley from the Usambara and other nearby mountains and the coastal forests of southern Kenya; T. mossambicanus (Bocage) from savanna areas from Somalia to Lake Tanganyiak and south to central Mozambique; T. capensis capensis Smith from northeastern South Africa and adjoining areas; and T.c. oatesi (Gunther) from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, southern Congo, Botswana, southern Angola and Namibia.

• Broadley, D.G. (2001) A review of the genus Thelotornis A. Smith in eastern Africa, with the description of a new species from the Usambara Mountains (Serpentes: Colubridae: Dispholidini). African Journal of Herpetology, 50: 53-70.