West African Brown Spitting Cobra
Naja katiensis
A small brown spitting cobra of the West African Sahel.
- Adult length
- 0.7-1 m (2.3-3.3 ft)
- Range
- West Africa (Sahel region: Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ghana)
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Overview
The West African brown spitting cobra inhabits the semi-arid Sahel belt of West Africa, spanning countries such as Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Ghana. It is relatively small compared to other African cobras.
It is an elapid that tends to occur near rural settlements.
How to identify it
- Adults typically 0.7-1 m; among the smallest of the African spitting cobras.
- Coloration uniformly brown to reddish-brown, with a paler belly.
- Smooth scales, round pupils, forms a narrow to moderate hood when displayed.
- Distinguished from other West African cobras by its small size and uniform brown coloration.
Habitat & range
Found in dry savanna, Sahelian scrubland, and semi-desert habitats across Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Ghana, often sheltering in termite mounds, rodent burrows, or under rocks.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal, becoming active after dusk to hunt small vertebrates including rodents and amphibians. Spreads a hood when threatened. It is oviparous, laying relatively small clutches of eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Where does it live?
In the Sahel region of West Africa, including Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Ghana.
How big does it get?
It is a small cobra, typically reaching 0.7-1 m (2.3-3.3 ft).
How does it defend itself?
It rears up and spreads its hood.
West African Brown Spitting Cobra guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding West African Brown Spitting Cobra.
