| Brown banded cobra | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Naja |
| Species: | N. fuxi |
| Binomial name | |
| Naja fuxi Shi, Vogel, Chen, & Ding, 2022 | |
The brown banded cobra (Naja fuxi) is a species of venomous cobra, endemic to Southeast Asia. It was considered to be a part of Naja kaouthia until genetic studies conducted in 2022 rendered it a separate species. [1] [2]
N. fuxi falls under the genus Naja in the family Elapidae . It was first accepted as a species of its own in a 2022 paper detailing the differences between the Asian cobras, wherein it was identified as a distinct taxon by some variations in patterning and scalation. The name fuxi is derived from Fuxi (伏羲), one of the ancestors of the human race in ancient Chinese mythology, often pictured as half-man, half-snake. [1]
The brown banded cobra is a medium-sized species, with an adult body length of 69–137 cm (27–54 in). It resembles the monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia , due to the predominantly monocellate marking on its hood. The dominant colouration is brown, with varying shades across the length of the body. Juveniles and smaller specimens tend to have darker dorsal and ventral colouration than large adults. It may be differentiated from N. kaouthia by the regular narrow crossbands on the middle to hind regions of the dorsal scales, and by the dorsal surface of the tail which is buff with dark fringes. [1]
The brown banded cobra has 190 ventral scales, 2 pre-ventrals and 50 paired subcaudals tapering into a spine. Like its former conspecific, it has a smooth dorsum, with 20 neck and midbody rows and 15 one head-length ahead of the vent. [1]
This species has a wide range of prey, including amphibians, snakes, birds, and small mammals, and has been reported to enter human habitation in Yunnan Province to feed on chicks. Several individuals were found inhabiting abandoned termite nests during winter in Menglian County. [1]
N. fuxi has been collected from tropical and subtropical regions of southwestern China, between 1,000–1,400 m (3,300–4,600 ft), and is likely found in neighbouring areas including the northern reaches of Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. It appears to prefer gentle slopes of open bush and forest edges. [1]
Not much is known about this species' venom. Its fangs are short and firm, as in other cobra species, but are not altered in a functional capacity to spew venom. It is an aggressive species, and was one of the most significant causes of snakebite in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province from 2007 to 2014. [1]
The Indian cobra, also known commonly as the spectacled cobra, Asian cobra, or binocellate cobra, is a species of cobra, a venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, and is a member of the "big four" species that are responsible for the most snakebite cases in India.
The monocled cobra, also called monocellate cobra and Indian spitting cobra, is a venomous cobra species widespread across South and Southeast Asia and listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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The Equatorial spitting cobra also called the black spitting cobra, Malayan spitting cobra, golden spitting cobra, Sumatran spitting cobra, or Palawan spitting cobra, is a species of spitting cobra found in Southeast Asia.
The Senegalese cobra is a species of cobra in the genus Naja that is found in West Africa.
Naja nigricincta is a species of spitting cobra in the genus Naja, belonging to the family Elapidae. The species is native to the deserts and drier regions of southern Africa. The species is largely nocturnal, and is often found while crossing roads at night. There are two recognized subspecies.
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Anchieta's cobra, sometimes referred to as the Angolan cobra, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Southern Africa.
The Andaman cobra or Andaman spitting cobra is a species of cobra endemic to the Andaman Islands of India. The name of this cobra comes from the Islands itself. The species has a very potent venom, and is capable of “spitting”, although this defensive behavior is very rare and the aim is poor and not as efficient as “true spitting cobras”.
The Javan spitting cobra, also called Indonesian cobra or Komodo spitting cobra, is a species of cobra in the family Elapidae, found in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, including Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Komodo, and others.