Brown forest cobra

The brown forest cobra (Naja subfulva) is a species of cobra in the genus Naja that is found in Central and East Africa.

Brown forest cobra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Naja
Subgenus: Boulengerina
Species:
N. subfulva
Binomial name
Naja subfulva
(Laurent, 1955)[2]

This species was long thought to be either identical to the forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca), or a subspecies thereof, but morphological and genetic differences have led to its recognition as a separate species.[3] It differs from Naja melanoleuca and other forest cobras in usually having a brownish forebody, often with darker spots, and often a light ventral side and attenuated ventral banding.

Description

Adults of most populations have a brown forebody, gradually turning black towards the tail, often with spotting or mottling in the lighter parts. Adults from the Lake Victoria area and parts of the Congo Basin are entirely black dorsally. The sides and underside of the head are light, usually cream-coloured, and the labial scales have dark edges, although these can be indistinct in some populations. Ventral side may turn black posteriorly, or be light throughout. Dorsals at midbody in 17 scale rows along the East African coast, 19 elsewhere. Ventrals 197–228, subcaudals 57–70. Maximum recorded length 269 cm.[3]

Distribution

East and Central Africa, in forests, thickets, and mostly wooded environments in savannas: recorded from South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Angola, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad and probably Nigeria.[3]

N. subflava at Mtunzini, South Africa

References
  1. Spawls, S.; Malonza, P.K.; Msuya, C.A.; Zassi-Boulou, A.-G.; Chippaux, J.-P.; Kusamba, C.; Gonwouo, N.L.; Chirio, L. (2021). "Naja subfulva". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T133837181A133837214. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T133837181A133837214.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. Laurent, R.F. (1955) Diagnoses préliminaires de quelques serpents venimeux. Revue de Zoologie et Botanique Africaine, 51,127–139.
  3. "Integration of nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences and morphology reveals unexpected diversity in the forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca) species complex in Central and West Africa (Serpentes: Elapidae)". Zootaxa. Magnolia Press. Retrieved 28 December 2020.


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