Ringed Water Cobra

Naja annulata

There are two species of Water Cobra in the world, and today's animal is one of them (the other being the Congo water Cobra). They are a largely aquatic species (hence the name) and are rarely seen by humans, as they are active during both the night and daytime, and are non-confrontational.

Ringed Water Cobras live in eastern and central Africa, and are seldom found far from bodies of water. They are slow movers on land, but excellent when hunting in rivers and lakes. These snakes feed almost exclusively on fish, but will also take amphibians as well.

As with all Cobras, the Ringed Water Cobra has a venomous bite. However, because they are not often encountered, their venom has not been as well studied as that of some other species. Also like other cobras, they sport hoods that fan out when threatened... though these hoods are rather narrow. They can be identified by the contrasting brown and black bands that run the length of their body.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : East and Central Africa
Size : SLength up to 9ft (2.8m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : Squamata
Family : Elapidae -- Genus : Naja -- Species : N. annulata