A large, glossy black-and-yellow African elapid of equatorial rainforests, known for its semi-aquatic habits and powerful neurotoxic venom.
Description
The forest cobra is one of Africa’s largest elapids, regularly reaching 2.5 m and occasionally over 3 m. The body is glossy black above with cream barring on the throat and flanks, and the head is small with a slim neck that flares into a narrow hood when alarmed.
Behavior
Unlike other African cobras, the forest cobra is at home in water and frequently dives to hunt fish and amphibians. On land it preys on rodents and lizards. Bites are uncommon but the highly toxic neurotoxic venom causes rapid paralysis and is a serious medical emergency.
Range
Distributed across the rainforests of West and Central Africa, from Guinea east to western Kenya and south to northern Angola. Recent taxonomic work has split out several formerly synonymised species across the range.