Egyptian Cobra holding Ankh with a beautiful carbunc
Egypt Silver Cobra holding Cartouche Health/Life/Power
The Egyptian cobra (Naja haje), commonly confused with the Snouted Cobra (Naja annulifera), is a type of venomous snake native to North Africa and the Middle East. The Egyptian cobra is the most common cobra in Africa and is responsible for many deaths in Africa. It lives from the Sahara Desert to the Syrian Desert. The Egyptian cobra, like all other cobras, raises its hood when in danger.
The Egyptian cobra is nocturnal. But it can be seen basking in the sun at times in the early morning. females lay 8-33 eggs in termite mounds, and the eggs hatch after an incubation time of 60 days. The Egyptian Cobra's venom is extremely toxic -- it is the second most toxic venom of any cobra, after the Cape Cobra. However, the Egyptian cobra is considered to be much deadlier than the Cape cobra because it is larger, more aggressive and can inject more venom per bite.
The bite of the Egyptian cobra was proven to induce quick and painless death, and is considered by many to be the serpent used by Cleopatra VII to aid her demise. A stylised Egyptian Cobra, representing the goddess Wadjet, was the symbol of sovereignty of the pharaohs, and therefore, it is also called Uraeus serpent.
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