Naja nigricincta Bogert, 1940

Reproduction and Classification

Naja nigricincta is an oviparous, venomous spitting cobra.

Dorsal Body Coloration

It has a dark brown to black body, with zebra-like vertical whitish or light yellow stripes running along its dorsal side. These stripes are typically evenly spaced, and may be either complete or fragmented.

Ventral Scale Coloration

The ventral scales of this species range in color from white to orange.

Juvenile Coloration

Juvenile Naja nigricincta have lighter overall coloration than adult individuals.

Hood Morphology

Like all other species in the Naja genus, this snake can flatten its head and neck into a hood. Its head and hood are uniformly dark brown or black.

Bite Venom Effects

The venom of Naja nigricincta can cause massive hemorrhaging, necrosis, and paralysis in bite victims.

Spit Venom Effects

These snakes can also spit venom with great accuracy to hit enemies, and this venom can cause temporary or permanent blindness.

Nigerian Bite Patient Study

Fourteen patients with confirmed bites from Naja nigricincta, seen in the savanna region of Nigeria, did not develop the neurological signs expected after elapid envenomation, such as cranial nerve lesions and respiratory paralysis. All of these patients experienced local swelling, which affected the entire limb in eight cases, and ten patients developed local tissue necrosis.

Geographic Range

This species is native to parts of southern Africa, including southern Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa.

Habitat Associations

It often occurs around human settlements in both urban and rural areas, and is commonly found inside human dwellings.

Bite Occurrence Timing

The majority of bites from this snake happen at night, while victims are asleep.