Arabian Cobra

The Arabian cobra is the only true cobra species that can be found in the Arabian Peninsula.

Residing deep within one of the hottest ecosystems in the world, the Arabian cobra is rarely seen by people and remains elusive in the wild. They are considered to be extremely dangerous and have the ability to kill a person. This article will cover some interesting facts about the size, appearance, diet, and behavior of the Arabian cobra.

3 Arabian Cobra Amazing Facts

• The Arabian cobra had the distinction of being the 12,000th species added to National Geographic’s photo ark project. The photo ark aims to photograph many of the world’s animals, especially those in need of protection.
• Very few facts are known about this cobra’s reproductive behavior, but the female is thought to produce about 40 eggs at a time.
• The Arabian cobra flicks out its tongue to gather odor molecules in the air. It has an organ located on the roof of the mouth to sense these odors.

Where to Find Arabian Cobras

The Arabian cobra can be found in the deserts, hills, and plains throughout the western and southern portion of the Arabian Peninsula. It often forages during the day and lives in close proximity to a body of water. Some of the countries in which it resides include:

• Saudi Arabia
• Yemen
• Oman

Arabian Cobra Scientific Name

The scientific name of the Arabian cobra is Naja arabica. Naja is the Sanskrit word for snake (Sanskrit is a classical South Asian language). Arabica is the Latin form of Arabia. Until 2009, this snake was considered to be a subspecies of the closely related Egyptian cobra, which can be found throughout North Africa.

Arabian Cobra Population & Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the Arabian cobra is considered to be a species of least concern. Population numbers have never been properly estimated, but is it not known to face any significant threats in the wild. However, it is known to be exploited both for the purposes of venom extraction and the international exotic pet trade.

How to Identify the Arabian Cobra: Appearance and Description

The Arabian cobra is easy to identify from the solid gold, yellow, or light brown color of the body. Cervical ribs along the neck form the iconic hood for which the cobra is known. The Arabian cobra also has a triangular head and round, dark eyes. When fully grown, they are thought to measure up to 8 feet in size.

Here is how to identify the Arabian cobra:

• Long robust body measuring up to 8 feet in size
• Gold, yellow, or light brown body-color
• Prominent hood
• Round, dark eyes

Arabian Cobra Pictures

Arabian Cobra: How Dangerous Are They?

The venom of the Arabian cobra is considered to be highly toxic and dangerous. Its close relative, the Egyptian cobra, produces a potent mixture of neurotoxins (which attack the nerves) and cytotoxins (which attack normal cells). Symptoms of its bite may include pain, swelling, headaches, nausea, dizziness, necrosis, and even paralysis. Several deaths have been known to occur from its venom. The anti-venom is usually successful at stopping the victim’s condition from deteriorating even further if administered in time. It is not known how much venom they inject into the body at once, however.

Arabian Cobra Behavior and Humans

The Arabian cobra should never be approached in the wild. It is considered to be quite aggressive and dangerous toward people. When it is threatened, the snake will stand its ground, rear up, spread its hood, and hiss loudly. It may have a tendency to strike out and bite at any time. If you receive a bite, then you should seek out medical attention from a professional immediately.