The Egyptian Cobra, also known as Ouraeus, is one of the most venomous snakes in North Africa, which has caused many snakebite incidents in humans. It averages roughly 1.4 meters (4.6 ft), with the longest recorded specimen measuring 2.59 meters (8.5 ft)
1. The Scientific name of the Egyptian Cobra is Ouraeus, known as Naja Haje, described by Swedish Zoologists.
2. The snouted Cobra and Anchieta Cobra were formerly regarded as subspecies of Naja Haje but have since been shown to be distinct species.
3. The Egyptian Cobra is a large species. The head is large and depressed and slightly distinct from the neck.
4. The Egyptian Cobra has long cervical ribs capable of expanding to form a hood, like other cobras.
5. The snout of the Egyptian Cobra is moderately broad and rounded. The eyes are quite big with a round pupil.
6. The body of the Egyptian Cobra is cylindrical and stout, with a long tail.
7. The length of the Egyptian Cobra is largely dependent on subspecies, geographical locale, and population.
8. The most recognizable characteristics of this species are its head and hood.
9. Most specimens of this species is of brown color. Some are more copper-red or grey-brown in color.
10. The ventral side of the Egyptian Cobra is mostly a creamy white, yellow-brown, greyish, blue-grey, dark brown, or black in coloration, often with dark spots.
11. The Naja Haje has the following scalation. The dorsal scales of the midbody number 19-20. The ventral scales number 191-220. The anal plate is single.
12. The Egyptian Cobra ranges across most of North Africa of the Sahara, across the Savanna of West Africa to the South of the Sahara, South to Congo Basin, and east to Kenya and Tanzania.
13. The Egyptian Cobra can also be found in captivity at zoos, both in and outside the snake’s natural range.
14. The Giza Zoo, San Diego Zoo, and the Virginia Aquarium include the Egyptian Cobra in their reptile collections.
15. The Egyptian Cobra was found in a dark corner of the zoo’s reptile house in good health on March 31, 2011.
16. Naja Haje occurs in a wide variety of habitats, from stepped dry to moist Savannas and arid semi-desert regions with some water and vegetation. This species is frequently found near water.
17. It also occurs in the presence of humans, where it often enters houses. It is attracted to villages by rodents, pests (rats), and domestic chickens. There are also notes of the Egyptian Cobra swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, often found in water.
18. The Egyptian Cobra is a terrestrial and crepuscular or nocturnal species. It can, however, be seen basking in the sun at times in the early morning. This species shows a preference for a permanent home base in abandoned animal burrows, termite mounds, or rock outcrops.
19. This species prefers to eat toads but will prey on small mammals, birds, eggs, lizards, and other snakes.
20. The Egyptian Cobra was represented in Egyptian Mythology by the Cobra-headed goddess Meretseger.
21. Like other species, they generally try to escape when approached, at least for a few metres, but if threatened, they assume the typical upright posture with the hood expanded and struck.
22. The Egyptian Cobra is Oviparous, and females lay between 8 and 33 eggs. Their offspring are known as ‘Snakelet.’
23. The main threats to the Egyptian Cobra include habitat loss, persecution, poisoning through feeding on rodents, and collection for their venom.
24. Egyptian Cobras are important for their ecosystem as they help to maintain the balance of prey species and control agricultural pests such as rats and mice.