Coluber is a genus of thin bodied, fast moving, colubrid snakes commonly known as racers. They are widespread around the world and vary greatly in habitat and behaviour. In the past, Coluber was a catch-all genus which included almost all snake species known at the time. Even the cobra was once classified as Coluber naja. ... Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coluber
Col'u·ber noun [ Latin , a serpent.] (Zoology) A genus of harmless serpents. » Linnæus placed in this genus all serpents, whether venomous or not, whose scales beneath the tail are arranged in pairs; but by modern writers it is greatly restricted. Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/C/112