Egyptian cobra Egyptian cobra The Egyptian cobra ("Naja haje") is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. "Naja haje" is one of the largest cobra species native to Africa, second to the forest cobra ("Naja melanoleuca"). "Naja haje" was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The generic name "naja" is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word ' () meaning "cobra". The specific epithet "haje" is derived from the Arabic word hayya" (حية"') which literally means "snake". The Egyptian cobra is one of the largest cobras of the African continent. The head is large and depressed and slightly
Banded water snake their patterning is barely discernible. They have flat heads, and are fairly heavy-bodied. If irritated, they release a foul-smelling musk to deter predators. Their appearance leads them to be frequently mistaken for other snakes with which they share a habitat, including the less common, venomous cottonmouth. "Nerodia fasciata" inhabits most freshwater environments such as lakes, marshes, ponds, and streams. It preys mainly on fish and frogs. Using its vomeronasal organ, also called Jacobson's organ, the snake can detect parvalbumins in the cutaneous mucus of its prey. The species is ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young. The brood size varies from