# Egyptian Cobra (*Naja haje*) The Egyptian Cobra is a famous snake that was worshipped in ancient Egypt! It has a beautiful, shiny skin. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Habitat:** Deserts and scrublands - **Also known as:** African Cobra, Naja haje ![Egyptian Cobra](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424618/objects/5702.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Reptilia - **Order:** Squamata - **Family:** Elapidae - **Genus:** Naja ## 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 - **Intimidating Hood Display:** Egyptian Cobra can flatten its neck into a broad hood to look bigger and scare off threats, helping them appear more formidable. - **Potent Venom Delivery:** Egyptian Cobra has highly potent neurotoxic venom injected through fixed fangs, which helps them quickly immobilize and digest prey. - **Nocturnal Hunter Senses:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — A common rodent prey species. - **Hunts:** Common Agama (*Agama agama*) — Frequently preys on these lizards. - **Eaten by:** [Honey Badger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/honey-badger) (*Mellivora capensis*) — A fearless predator of snakes. - **Eaten by:** Black-chested Snake Eagle (*Circaetus pectoralis*) — Hunts snakes from above. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Egyptian Cobra? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Egyptian Cobra? 120-200 cm ### How much does Egyptian Cobra weigh? 1.5-3.5 kg ### How long does Egyptian Cobra live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Egyptian Cobra move? 8 km/h ### What does Egyptian Cobra eat? This cobra dines on small animals like rodents, birds, lizards, and even other snakes. ### How fast can Egyptian Cobra swim? 4 km/h ### Where is Egyptian Cobra usually found? Deserts and scrublands ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Egyptian Cobra: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/egyptian-cobra)