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Presentation
The Egyptian cobra is a medium-sized venomous snake belonging to the Elapidae family. Recognizable by its flat, triangular head, it has a robust body generally brown or gray in color. Highly venomous, it is capable of spitting its venom several meters away when threatened.
The Egyptian cobra has a distinct head, with medium-sized eyes and lateral nostrils. Its body is covered with smooth, shiny scales arranged in regular rows. Coloration varies from pale yellow to dark brown, often with patterns or dark bands depending on individuals.
Characteristics
Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.
Habitat and distribution
The Egyptian cobra inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, preferring dry and rocky environments. It is found along temporary watercourses, in stony and cultivated areas, as well as near human settlements where rodents are abundant. It effectively exploits burrows and crevices for resting.
CURRENT RANGE
The Egyptian cobra is widely distributed across North Africa and sub-Saharan regions, its range extending from Morocco to Somalia. It is also found in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. A common species in some regions, it has adapted to human-modified environments.
Behaviour
Rather aggressive when threatened, the Egyptian cobra raises its head and dilates its characteristic hood while emitting powerful hisses. Capable of causing serious injury with its venomous fangs, it can also spit its venom with great accuracy. Generally solitary and nocturnal, it is not very active during the day.
Reproduction
The Egyptian cobra is oviparous: the female lays 8 to 20 elongated eggs in a protected place such as a rocky crevice or burrow. Incubation lasts approximately 60 to 80 days depending on thermal conditions. Young snakes are born independent and venomous from birth.
Peculiarities
A remarkable characteristic of the Egyptian cobra is its ability to spit venom: when threatened, it projects its toxin onto the eyes and face of a potential aggressor with impressive precision, potentially causing temporary or permanent blindness. Its venom is equally dangerous through direct injection when biting.
Threats and conservation
The Egyptian cobra has no major threats affecting its survival. Although sometimes killed by humans out of fear or as a safety measure, its population remains stable throughout most of its range. The species remains abundant in suitable regions.
Numbers and trends vary across sources and regions. See the IUCN assessment for the latest reference data.
Gallery
1 documented photographs.
References
UICN — Liste rouge des espèces menacées
Profile updated 08 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least concern (LC)
IUCN source, latest published assessment.
Similar animals
Other species documented in Animalpedia.