Central and Soufhern Africa 



or two brown markings or bands below hootl in young ; 

 this disappears in adults. 



Dorsals in 19-21 rows at midbody, more (23) on neck, 

 fewer (15) posteriorly. Ventrals 195-227; subcaudals 

 50-G8. 



Distribiitinn: Temperate southern Africa, extending 

 northward in the west to central South-West Africa; 

 absent east of Basutoland. 



Remarks: If disturbed, this cobra faces the enemy 

 with body raised and hood expanded, ready to strike if 

 it comes within reach. If left alone it will retreat 

 without further signs of aggression. The venom is the 

 most toxic of the African cobras and fatalities often 

 result if the bite is not treated quickly. 



I'ol.vvalent antivcnins are produced by tlio South Afri- 

 can Institute for Medical Research. 



ELAPIDAE: Genus Paranaja Loveridge, 1944. 

 Burrowing cobra. 



A single, little-known species (P. muUifasciata Wer- 

 ner) is known from western Central Africa. The few 

 specimens that have been described are all small (2 feet 

 or less in length) but have relatively large fangs. Al- 

 though no biles arc reported for thi.s species, it must be 

 regarded as a polenlially dangerous siuike. 



ncfiiiitinii: Head sliort, flattened, sllglitly distinct 

 from body. Body moderately slender, cylindrical, ap- 

 parently without a hood ; tail short. 



Eyes of moderate size; pupils round. 



Head scales : Tlie usual 9 scales on the crown : ros- 

 tral broad, rounded; inlernasals short. I.aterally, nasal 

 in broad contact with single preocular. 



Body scales: Dorsals smooth, in 1.5-17 oblique rows 

 at midbody, more (17-19) on neck, fewer (13) posteri- 

 orly. Ventrals 1.59-175; anal plate entire; subcaudals 

 30-.'59, all or most paired. 



Maxillary teeth: Two tubular fangs with external 

 grooves followed, after an intersi)ace, by two small 

 teeth. 



ELAPIDAE: Genus Pseudohaje GiJnther, 1858. 

 Tree cobras. 



Two species are recognized; both inhabit the tropical 

 rain forest region of central and western Africa. They 

 have average adult lengths of about 6 feet and indi- 

 viduals occasionally approach S feet. Both species are 

 considered dangerous. 



Definition: Head short and narrow, .slightly distinct 

 from neck; snout broad, rounded, canthus distinct. 

 Body slender, tapering; neck region with very slight 

 suggestion of hood ; tail long. 



Eyes very large ; pupils round. 



Head scales : The usual 9 on the crown ; rostral 

 broad. Laterally, nasal in contact with preocular or 

 separated from it by a "loreal" scale that is occa.sionally 



formed by a vertical suture across the unusually elong- 

 ate preocular. 



Figure 64. — Head Scales of I'neudohaje. The long pre- 

 ocular is sometimes broken with a vertical suture to 

 form a "loreal." This is the only elapid snake in 

 which this is known to occur frequently. Drawing 

 courtesy of Charles M. Bogert. 



Body scales: Dorsals smooth and glossy, in 13-15 

 obliipie rows at midbody, the same number or more 

 (15) on the neck, fewer (!)-ll) posteriorly. Ventrals 

 1S9-205: anal plate entire: subcaudals 74-94, paired. 



Maxillary teeth: Two short fangs with external 

 grooves followed, after nn interspace, by 2—1 small 

 teeth. 



Gold's Tree Cobra, Psexidohaje goldii (Boul- 

 eiiger). 



Identification: A long-tailed, mamba-like arboreal 

 cobra with shiny black scales and large eyes. It (and 

 the closely-related P. nigra) differs from other African 

 ciiliras in the apparent absence of a hood, the few scale 

 rows (15 at midbody). and the unusually long tail 

 (more than 20 percent of total length, versus less than 

 20 percent in other cobras). It differs from the niambas 



Figure G5. — Gold's Tree Cobra, Pseudohaje goldii. The 

 large eye and the glossy scales are characteristic. 

 Photo b.v New York Zoological Society. (See also 

 plate VII, figure 2.) 



97 



