Egyptian Cobra (Reptiles of the WAP complex)

Egyptian Cobra

Naja haje

Summary ³

The Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) is a species in the genus Naja found in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is one of the largest Naja species in Africa.

Description ⁴

These snakes reach a maximum size of about 2.5 m, the average size is between 1.3 to 1.8 m. The dorsal pattern is highly variable. It may be brown, red-brown, yellow-brown or greyish-brown. The ventral scales can bee yellow or cream, often with a broad grey or brown throat bar, 8 to 20 scales deep and visible when the hood is spread. Sometimes the ventral scale color extends onto the flanks in irregular blotches (Spawls, et al., 2002)

Scales are smooth and there are 21 (occasionally 19) scale rows at midbody. N. haje is the only species of cobra with a subocular scale, separating the eye from the upper labial scales (Spawls et al., 2002).