Subphylum Vertebrata | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Serpentes Rank Species | |
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Similar Mali cobra, Anchieta's cobra, Naja nigricincta, Naja ashei, Andaman cobra |
Nubian spitting cobra kingdom of snakes
Description

A relatively small spitting cobra. Maximum recorded length 148 cm. Colour and pattern: Brownish-grey overall, scale bases and skin between scales black. Belly slightly lighter. Dark band across nape, dark ring across throat and neck, usually an additional dark band on belly, bands may fade with age. Scalation: 207-226 ventrals, 58-72 subcaudals, 23-29 scale rows around neck, 23-27 scale rows at midbody, 1-2 preoculars, 6-8 supralabials.
Distribution

A scattered distribution in north-eastern Africa: Egypt (Nile Valley), Sudan (Nile Valley, Darfur), western Eritrea, Chad (Ennedi Plateau) and Niger (Aïr Mountains).
Taxonomy

Previously confused with the Red spitting cobra (Naja pallida), separated on the basis of detailed morphological and mitochondrial DNA analysis


