Senegalese Cobra

DESCRIPTION:

The Senegalese Cobra was previously known as the Egyptian cobra – this species has been described as a distinct species due to molecular studies and morphological differences. Adults plain dark brown above, juveniles are greyish above and yellowish below, with a dark band around the neck and often a white neck blotch. It may have a dark spot under the eye – resembling a ‘teardrop’. Young adult specimens tend to be dark brown with lighter speckles and their ventral side is yellowish. Young adult specimens from the Niger–Burkina Faso–Benin border region, have a brown dorsal coloration with small reddish dots of one scale each. The whole head, including the lips are normally uniformly dark brown. In Niger and Nigeria, the body of adults is yellow to dark brown above (often mostly yellow, especially in Niger), often with scattered individual dark scales, but the belly is at least partly cream-coloured, or with contrasting light and dark bands or blotches.

HABITS & HABITAT:

The Senegalese Cobra can be found in the Sudano-Sahelian savannas of West Africa. This species is newly described and was previously thought to be an Egyptian cobra, with which it will share similar habits and behaviour – active both day and night. Quick to defend itself, rearing up and spreading a hood. Also likely to rush toward its threat and attempt to bite.

DISTRIBUTION:

Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, S Niger, W Nigeria, N Benin, N Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast.

VENOM:

This snakes’ venom is predominantly Neurotoxic and contains Cytotoxins.

SYMPTOMS:

BEWARE: It starts off looking like a cytotoxic bite before the neurotoxic symptoms set in – If envenomation has occurred, the symptoms usually manifest within 15 minutes to 6 hours following the bite; Initially, there will be local pain, moderate swelling and bruising; Systemic symptoms include: Respiratory distress with difficult or shallow breathing; Difficulty swallowing; Gagging; Double vision; Abdominal pain; Sweating; Weakness; Agitation; Distress; Slurred speech; Parasthesia (tingling) in the mouth, lips and/or face.

FIRST AID:

A bite should be considered a medical emergency; Immediately transport the victim to a medical facility; The victim may need assistance to breathe as the lungs may become paralyzed; Remember to remain calm; Gently wash the bite site with water, nothing else; Remove rings, jewellery and other restrictive clothing or shoes; Make a note of the time the bite took place; Keep the affected limb below the height of the heart; If you are close to a medical facility with antivenom, immobilize the affected limb with a splint and apply a broad pressure bandage starting from the bite site and applying the bandage up the limb (Please note that both these conditions need to be met in order for this method to be effective); If far from a medical facility, apply a broadband tourniquet around the highest part of the affected limb; Minimize all movement of the patient and limb.

ANTIVENOM:

No specific antivenom produced, but EchiTAb-Plus-ICP polyvalent antivenom might neutralize some of the venom components.