Egyptian Cobra

Naja haje

The Egyptian Cobra is a famous snake that was worshipped in ancient Egypt! It has a beautiful, shiny skin.

Habitat: Deserts and scrublands

Appearance

The Egyptian Cobra is a large, powerful snake typically yellow-brown, grey, or black, often with a darker band under its throat. Its most distinctive feature is a broad hood it can flatten when threatened, making it look much wider than other snakes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassReptiliaOrderSquamataFamilyElapidaeGenusNaja

Egyptian Cobra

Interesting facts

Ancient Egyptians considered them symbols of royalty and protection for pharaohs!

Despite their danger, these cobras usually try to escape humans first.

It can climb trees to raid bird nests for eggs and chicks. Wow!

These powerful snakes can live over 20 years in zoos, much longer than wild ones!

Special abilities

Egyptian Cobra can flatten its neck into a broad hood to look bigger and scare off threats, helping them appear more formidable.

Egyptian Cobra has highly potent neurotoxic venom injected through fixed fangs, which helps them quickly immobilize and digest prey.

Egyptian Cobra can hunt effectively at night using excellent vision and detecting ground vibrations, allowing them to find prey in the dark.

Measurements & details

Length: 120-200 cm
Weight: 1.5-3.5 kg
Lifespan: 10-20 years
Top Speed: 8 km/h
Swim Speed: 4 km/h
Clutch Size: 8-33
Incubation: 50-70 days

Diet & Feeding

This cobra dines on small animals like rodents, birds, lizards, and even other snakes.

Primary Foods

rodents
birds
lizards
frogs
other snakes

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Black Rat

Rattus rattus

A common rodent prey species.

hunts

Common Agama

Agama agama

Frequently preys on these lizards.

eaten by

Honey Badger

Mellivora capensis

A fearless predator of snakes.

eaten by

Black-chested Snake Eagle

Circaetus pectoralis

Hunts snakes from above.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Desert

Discover incredible plants and animals that have adapted to survive in hot, dry places with very little water! They are masters of endurance.

Carnivorous

Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.

Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Venomous

Be amazed by animals that can inject special substances to defend themselves or catch their food! They deliver their potent dose through a bite or a sting.