Burrowing Cobra

Paranaja multifasiata

The Burrowing Cobra is sometimes referred to as the Many-banded Snake... which is kind of a confusing name because they don't actually have true bands on them at all. They have s
hiny black scales that also have creamy-yellow blotching on them, giving an almost checkered pattern.

Burrowing Cobras are the only the only members of the Paranaja genus, and they live only in a handful of countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Camaroon. They are not as long as teh Forest Cobra, one of their closer relatives-- they grow to only about 2ft.

Little is known about this species-- there has been no major conservation studies, which is why they are not listed at all by the IUCN. And we don't even know how dangerous their venom is! (Like all members of the Elapidae family, they are a venomous species). Interesting to think of all the potentially deadly creatures out there that we we so little about!

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Africa
Size : Body length around 2ft (60cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : Squamata
Family : Elapidae -- Genus : Paranaja-- Species : P. multifasciata

Image : Wuster