Many-banded snake cobra ("Naja melanoleuca") Many-banded snake The many-banded snake ("Naja multifasciata") is a species of venomous elapid snake. The species is found in the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon in Africa. Despite the common name, the species is not actually banded, but overall iridescent black, with cream colored blotching on each scale. The snakes grow to approximately in length. Not much is known about their venom, but it is likely a neurotoxin, like many other elapid snakes. The genus "Paranaja" was synonymised with "Naja" in a recent molecular phylogenetic study, as this species is closely related
Snake wine venom poses no threat to the drinker. It is denatured by the ethanol—its proteins are unfolded and therefore inactive— and would be denatured by stomach acid anyway. The Huaxi street night market (華西街夜市) of Taipei, Taiwan, is renowned for its snake foods and wine products. There are two main types of snake wine, which utilize either parts of a live snake, or the entire snake itself. Snakes and their tissue portions have long been considered by followers of Traditional Chinese medicine to be invaluable for the promotion of vitality and health. The drink was first recorded to be used in