Forest Cobras

This is one of Africa’s largest cobras and may exceed 2.7 m in length. Adults are light to medium shiny brown becoming black near the tail. They may also be pitch black or black with light bands. There are now five species in this group throughout Africa.

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Forest-Cobra

Full Name: Forest Cobras (Naja melanuleuca / subfulva ….)

Classification: HIGHLY VENOMOUS

**Map indicating the distribution of the Forest Cobras (Naja melanoleuca complex), within Africa**

These are Africa’s largest cobras and may exceed 2.7 m in length. Adults are light to medium shiny brown becoming black near the tail. They may also be pitch black or black with light bands. There are now five species in this group throughout Africa.

The Forest Cobras are active both during the day and night and favour dense bush where they hunts for small mammals, birds, frogs and other snakes. They are extremely shy and quick to escape – bites are rare. When cornered Forest Cobras will lift the head well off the ground and spread a narrow hood.

Forest Cobra venom is potently neurotoxic and cytotoxic. Polyvalent antivenom is effective. As these are large snakes, the venom yield may be massive.

The Forest Cobras across Africa have recently been split into five species. The map indicates the four widespread African species. The additional species is the São Tomé Forest Cobra (Naja peroescobari) found only on the São Tomé island off the coast of Gabon.

Current species:

Black Forest Cobra (Naja guineensis)

Central Forest Cobra (Naja melanoleuca)

São Tomé Forest Cobra (Naja peroescobari)

Savanna Forest Cobra (Naja savannula)