The Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje) is an African snake, and one of the largest cobra species. The largest is the Forest Cobra (Naja melanoleuca).
The colour of the Egyptian Cobra varies, but most are brown or coppery, or even black, often with lighter or darker mottling, and often a tear-drop mark below the eye.
The Egyptian Cobra has a large head. Its neck has long cervical ribs capable of expanding to form a hood, like all other cobras. The nose of the Egyptian cobra is broad and rounded. The eyes are quite big with round pupils. The body of the Egyptian Cobra is cylindrical and stout with a long tail.
The Egyptian Cobra is between 1 and 2 metres (3.3 and 6.6 feet) in length.
It is found in North Africa, especially in Egypt, Morocco, but it is also found in Kenya and Tanzania. It lives in a variety of habitats from dry to moist savannas, especially near water. It is often found in agricultural fields.
The Egyptian Cobra is a terrestrial and crepuscular or nocturnal snake. It does not climb trees. It prefers abandoned animal burrows, termite mounds or rocky outcrops.
It eats toads and small mammals, birds, eggs, lizards and other snakes.
The venom of the Egyptian Cobra consists mainly of neurotoxins and cytotoxins that affects the nervous system, stopping the nerve signals from being sent to muscles, the heart and lungs, causing death due to complete respiratory failure.
The Egyptian Cobra does not spit venom, like some other cobras do.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM