Naja atra

(Cantor, 1842)

Vernacular names
English : Chinese cobra
French : Cobra de Chine

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Elapidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Usually around 1.5 meters in length but can grow up to 2 m. Coloration usually dark grey to black, belly grey. Widely spaces yellow transversal bands sometimes absent. Horseshoe or O-shaped (linked to each sides of neck) hood mark.

Range and habitat
South-East China, north Laos, North Vietnam, Hong Kong, Hainan and Taiwan. Mostly found in woodlands, grasslands and sometimes mangroves. It often occurs not far from human settlements.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : Chinese and vietnamese populations are declining alarmingly because of pollution and capture of specimens to be sold at food markets.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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