The Egyptian cobra is sometimes called the snouted cobra or the banded Egyptian cobra.

The Egyptian cobra is massive, taking up about 8 feet in length along their heavy body. The only cobra that exceeds its size in the entire African continent is the forest cobra. With over 30 hatchlings per clutch, the IUCN isn’t concerned about conservation at all. Though quite shy, this cobra will chase down threats, striking with incredible toxic venom if necessary.

Egyptian Cobra Amazing Facts

• The Egyptian cobra is oviparous, and she lays up to 33 eggs per clutch.
• This cobra has the second-largest size of every cobra in Africa, only outmatched by the forest cobra.
• Distribution of the Egyptian cobra is minimal, primarily placing it in Africa.
• Despite their large size, they are incredibly quick, moving swiftly to chase victims or hunt.
• The primary diet of the Egyptian cobra consists of toads.

Where to Find Egyptian Cobra

The primary distribution of the Egyptian cobra is in Africa, thanks to the naturally dry and hot area. They are found in the northern region of the continent, south to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. It is also found in central Africa, thriving in areas similar to the desert, but they aren’t naturally considered to be true deserts.

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Preferably, these cobras find dry savannas, arid grasslands, coastal plains, scrubland, and similar climates to live. They don’t ordinarily migrate.

Egyptian Cobra Scientific Name

The Egyptian cobra, which is sometimes called the snouted cobra or the banded Egyptian cobra, has the scientific name of Naja haje. This name, which is from Sanskrit, contains two different words which both mean snake. It is from the Reptilia class and the Elapidae family.

Egyptian Cobra Population & Conservation Status

While the exact population is unknown, the IUCN considers the Egyptian cobra to be Least Concern, in terms of conservation. The population is stable, though little is known about their growth.

How to Identify Egyptian Cobras: Appearance and Description

The average size of the Egyptian cobra is 8 feet, making it the second-largest cobra in all of Africa. The only cobra that is bigger than that in the continent is the forest cobra, which can measure nearly 9 feet long. It is a broad-snouted cobra with a large, depressed head. The long ribs help to form the trademark hood of the cobra.

While the color of this cobra has quite a range, it is often a shake of brown, banded with either a lighter or darker mottling. Just below the eye, you’ll even see a tear-drop mark. The total color depends on where it lives since some of these cobras are fully black while others have a copper or grey hue. Along the sides, dark spots decorate the white, dark brown, blue-grey, yellow-brown, or black hue.

How to identify an Egyptian cobra:

• Typically, brown with spots along the sides and a banded pattern
• Up to 8 feet long.
• Broad-snouted head with wide hood down the neck.

Egyptian Cobra Photos

Egyptian Cobra Venom: How Dangerous Are They?

The venom of the Egyptian Cobra is highly toxic and dangerous to every person or animal that it touches. They release this venom through a bite, which is highly toxic. The venom is a combination of cytotoxins and neurotoxins that could even kill an elephant within three hours. They release anywhere from 175 to 30 mg of the toxins.

If you are bitten, the best thing you can do is call 911 immediately. They should also remove any rings, bracelets, or other tight accessories from the part of the body that was bitten to avoid swelling.

Egyptian Cobra Behavior and Humans

Egyptian cobras are fairly shy, so it is unlikely that you’ll randomly stumble upon one unless you’re on their turf. Still, if you find yourself in the presence of one, be careful; they are highly aggressive. They will consume small mammals as part of their regular diet, but the death time associated with a human bite takes a mere 15 minutes to kill them.

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