IDENTIFYING DANGEROUS SNAKES IN AFRICA

EGYPTIAN COBRA naja haje)

Location: This snake is found in northern parts of Africa, Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.
Identification: Mostly black with brownish cross bands. Can also be yellow to a very dark brown. Sometimes uniformly black. Will spread its hood characteristic of cobras when threatened. Average length is about 2m.
Characteristics: An extremely dangerous snake responsible for many bites. Will keep on attacking until it does not feel threatened any more. Also have a reputation for being found in homes, farmland fields and open lands.

CAPE COBRA (Naja Nivea )

 

Location: Found in the southern parts of Africa especially the Cape province.
Identification: Mostly a light color like yellowish to brown. May even be black. Like all cobras it spreads a hood when threatened. This snake is about 1.2m in length on average. Very potent venom.
Characteristics: A very territorial snake that is not known to be that aggressive but will bite to defend itself. It can become more aggressive in its mating season so do not underestimate it. You have become a medical emergency patient if you managed to get yourself bitten by one of these.

RINKHALS (Hemachatus Haemachatus )

 

Location: Found in the Southern parts of Africa.
Identification: A dark grey to blackish color. Have characteristic band at the neck. Spread a hood like a cobra but is not a real cobra as it gives live birth. Some other minor characteristics also sets it apart from cobras. Length is about 0.8m to 1.2 meters.
Characteristics: This snake is a spitter and can spit venom with great accuracy. Bites occur rarely and this snake have a big reputation to fake death when threatened. It will roll over, mouth open and appear dead. Maybe it also sticks its tongue out hanging to the side and roll its eyes backwards for extra effect. I have never been able to verify that part. Leave all dead looking Rinkhalses alone.

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