Information on How an Egyptian Cobra Moves

The Egyptian cobra can be found in Africa and is very dangerous if provoked. The cobra is found around the edge of the Sahara desert and areas that are dry and semi-arid. They need vegetation and water to survive; therefore, oases are a draw to the cobra.

  1. Description

    • According to the Jacksonville Zoo, the Egyptian cobra can grow to eight feet in length. However, the average length is between five to six feet. The snake has a small head with a rounded snout. The color of the cobra can vary from grayish yellow to dark brown with a yellow underside. The fangs are hollow and inject venom during a bite.

    Threatened Stance

    • When an Egyptian cobra feels threatened, it will move into a warning stance, letting the attacker know it is about to attack. First, the cobra will raise the upper part of its body off the ground. The snake will flatten its head by extending the ribs located behind its head. When a snake moves into a defensive pose, dark bars will show on the snake's neck and the front of the hood. According to Pet Place, Egyptian cobras have been known to feign death if their warnings are not heeded. However, this is a rare occurrence.

    Hunting

    • The Egyptian cobra is a nighttime hunter that eats rodents, frogs and birds. In search of eggs to eat, the cobra will climb trees, according to Jacksonville Zoo. It can eat up to twenty eggs.

    Venom

    • The Egyptian cobra̵7;s venom is a neurotoxin. The cobra will strike forward and bite its attacker, releasing the neurotoxin into the attacker̵7;s body. The toxin causes paralysis and the eventual shutdown of the respiratory system. According to the Jacksonville Zoo, ten percent of humans bitten by the Egyptian cobra die.

    Charming

    • In Africa, visitors can witness snake charmers ̶0;charming̶1; Egyptian cobras. It may appear that the cobra rises from a basket because the charmer is coaxing it out with music. However, according to Think Quest, a cobra̵7;s natural instinct is to rise from a darkened place toward light. When the charmer removes the lid from the basket, the cobra automatically rises and, as a defense, flattens its hood. The snake cannot hear as humans do, but will appear to sway to the music. What the snake is actually doing is following the movement of the charmer. Because of the snake̵7;s actions, spectators believe the snake is hypnotized when in reality it is the snake̵7;s natural tendencies.

    Folklore

    • After the Egyptians lost the Battle of Actium, Egypt was invaded by Octavian. Instead of being taken prisoner by her enemy, Cleopatra committed suicide by allowing an asp, also known as an Egyptian cobra, to bite her. According to the Jacksonville Zoo, the Greek word ̶0;uraeus̶1; is used to describe the headdresses worn by the Egyptians kings and queens that had a sacred cobra on them.