Nubian Spitting Cobra
Naja nubiae
A moderately sized spitting cobra of the Sahelian and Nile Valley regions of northeastern Africa, described to science relatively recently.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft)
- Range
- Northeastern Africa (Sudan, Egypt, Chad, Eritrea)
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Overview
The Nubian spitting cobra is a species formally described in 2003, having previously been confused with other African Naja species. It inhabits arid and semi-arid regions of the Nile Valley and Sahel in northeastern Africa.
It is a venomous elapid capable of spitting venom defensively, and while less studied than some of its more widespread relatives, it is regarded as potentially medically significant within its known range.
How to identify it
- Adults reach roughly 1-1.5 m in length.
- Coloration typically brownish, grayish, or reddish, sometimes with darker crossbands or speckling, and a pale underside.
- Smooth body scales, round pupils, hood-forming cobra with a moderately narrow hood.
- Best distinguished from co-occurring cobras by range and subtle scalation differences documented in its original description.
Habitat & range
Occupies arid savanna, semi-desert, and areas along the Nile Valley and adjacent Sahelian zones of Sudan, Egypt, Chad, and Eritrea, often near watercourses or seasonally wet ground in an otherwise dry landscape.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Believed to be primarily nocturnal, sheltering by day in burrows or crevices. Like related spitting cobras it can eject venom defensively toward the eyes of a threat. Diet likely includes small mammals, amphibians, and other reptiles. It is oviparous, though detailed reproductive data are limited.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nubian spitting cobra venomous?
Yes, it is a venomous elapid and a member of the spitting cobra group.
Where is it found?
In arid parts of northeastern Africa, including Sudan, Egypt, Chad, and Eritrea, often near the Nile Valley.
When was it first described?
It was formally described as a distinct species in 2003, having previously been confused with related African cobras.
How big does it get?
Adults typically reach about 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft).
Nubian Spitting Cobra guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Nubian Spitting Cobra.
