forest cobra forest cobra called black cobra black white cobra native africa central western parts continent largest true cobra species length meters prefers lowland forest moist habitats cobra highly found drier climates geographical range capable swimmer considered semi aquatic forest cobra feeding habits having highly varied diet large insects small mammals reptiles species alert nervous considered dangerous snake assume typical cobra warning posture raising fore body ground spreading narrow hood loudly bites humans common african factors bite species life threatening emergency etymology forest cobra classified genus family described american generic sanskrit word meaning cobra specific epithet means black white word greek black comes ancient greek word white species known black cobra black white cobra taxonomy evolution forest cobra classified genus family genus described species described genus split based factors including morphology diet habitat subgenus species subgenus united restriction central west african forest forest edge type habitat aquatic feed aquatic species species subgenus great diversity size ranging forest cobra attain lengths metres feet cobra doesn grow larger metres feet length illustrates taxonomy relationships species description forest cobra africa largest cobra genus possibly largest true cobra species world length average adult attain lengths metres feet lengths metres feet possible rare cases males females grow similar length sexual species head snake large broad flattened slightly distinct neck slightly depressed tapered moderately thick bodied snake slender tail medium length body compressed dorsal upper scales ventral lower scales meet body sub cylindrical tail end body forest cobra long ribs capable expansion form long wedge shaped hood threatened angle crown head head eye known distinct snout rounded eyes large round pupils like snake species forest cobra skin covered scales snakes entirely covered scales shapes sizes known scales protect body snake aid allow moisture retained alter surface characteristics aid camouflage dorsal scales forest cobra smooth glossy strongly oblique colour species variable main colour forest forest fringe east western kenya south glossy black chin throat anterior region belly cream white broad black cross bars sides head marked black white giving impression vertical black white bars lips second colour west african banded black yellow black tail head brownish yellow lips chin throat yellow colour coastal plain east africa south inland brownish brown paler belly yellow cream heavily brown black specimens southern range black tails black specimens documented west africa head body tail forest cobra venom venom cobra bites result severe list value according brown australian venom value average venom yield bite maximum venom yield snake highly dangerous quantity venom single bite aggressive nature defending death occur rapidly minutes severe cases signs symptoms include limb hearing loss inability speak shock abdominal pain fever respiratory symptoms forest cobra frequent causes snake bite african largely forest dwelling habits bite species taken seriously ranks 4th true cobra species thought similar egyptian cobra clinical experience species sparse recorded bites documented deaths respiratory failure severe reported victims survive prompt administration undertaken soon clinical signs noted rare cases spontaneous use specific seen use places patient increased risk major mortality snake agitated quickly attack large venom injected rapidly fatal outcome possible mortality rate bite exactly known thought high forest cobra spit spray venom species considered intelligent african cases experienced severe symptoms including respiratory distress child died minutes snake suspected species distribution habitat forest cobra occurs mainly western central africa found guinea guinea southeastern nigeria western africa central african republic northern central africa western kenya eastern africa fragmented parts southern africa including snake forest woodland africa live high forest forest snakes adapted environments habitat forest cobra strongly dependent african range snake originates forest originating southern african regions typically found grassland found broken rock country mainly found tropical subtropical regions west central africa inhabits western africa banded form forest cobra west africa lives grassland usually streams areas especially forest latitude species preferred habitat lowland forest moist coastal snake highly readily drier areas western kenya forest cobra found wide stretched grassland areas population forest found close water brown colour phase occurs coastal high altitude forest woodland grassland areas secretive habits fondness living holes inhabited areas common central african towns long vegetation gone found fruit plantations live trees occurs wide altitude range sea level forested mountains metres feet sea level behavior forest cobra species climbs aquatic true genus terrestrial fast graceful known ascend trees height metres feet quick moving alert readily takes water areas main diet fish regarded semi aquatic active day areas active night nocturnal goes urban areas active takes cover holes brush piles hollow logs root clusters rock abandoned forest fringe certain areas hides river banks root systems bird holes urban areas hide piles unused buildings agitated considerable height spreads long narrow hood strike quickly long distance rush forward determined effort bite alert species cobra authorities believe dangerous african snakes kept captive forest described particularly aggressive handled species able spit venom diet forest feed wide variety prey including amphibians fish snakes monitor bird eggs small mammals recorded taking west africa specimen eaten giant smell snakes touch reproduction species summer females lay smooth white eggs roughly millimetres inches eggs stick bunch eggs laid hollow trees holes ground females nests mating pair dance raising heads foot ground moving continue hour mating takes place male presses chamber reproductive canals female female forest stand guard aggressive breeding period female liable attack potentially fatal consequences nest near born completely independent usually centimetres inches length sources claim measure centimetres inches period days days captive study temperatures snakes known long lifespan captive specimen lived years record longest lived snake captivity specimen held australia turned september
Forest cobra