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{{Short description|Species of snake}}
{{Automatic Taxobox
{{Speciesbox
⚫
| name = ''Walterinnesia aegyptia''
| image = Sinai-Desert-Cobra.jpg
| image = Sinai Desert Cobra.jpg
| taxon = Walterinnesia
| image_caption = ''Walterinnesia aegyptia''
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref>{{cite iucn |author1=Amr, Z.S.S. |author2=Al Johany, A.M.H. |author3=Egan, D.M. |author4=Baha El Din, S. |author5=Ugurtas, I.H. |author6=Werner, Y.L. |author7=Disi, A.M. |author8=Tok, V. |author9=Sevinç, M. |date=2012 |errata=2017 |title=''Walterinnesia aegyptia'' |page=e.T164671A115304177 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T164671A1066007.en |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>
⚫
| genus = Walterinnesia
| species = aegyptia
| authority = [[Fernand Lataste|Lataste]], 1887
| authority = [[Fernand Lataste|Lataste]], 1887
| range_map =
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
| synonyms =
*''Walterinnesia aegyptia''
*''Walterinnesia morgani''
| synonyms = ''Atractaspis wilsoni''<br>''Naja morgani''
}}
}}

'''''Walterinnesia aegyptia''''', also known as the '''desert cobra''' or '''[[desert black snake]]''', is a species of [[venomous snake]]s in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Elapidae]] that is native to the [[Middle East]]. The [[specific name (zoology)|specific epithet]] ''aegyptia'' (“of Egypt”) refers to part of its geographic range.<ref name="rdb">{{cite web |url= https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Walterinnesia&species=aegyptia|title= Walterinnesia aegyptia LATASTE, 1887|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Reptile Database |publisher= Peter Uetz and Jakob Hallermann |access-date= 2 June 2021}}</ref>
[[File:Walterinnesia aegyptia.jpg|thumb|Desert cobra (Walterinnesia aegyptia)]]

==Description and behaviour==
'''''Walterinnesia''''' is a [[genus]] of [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[elapid]] [[snake]], also known as the '''Desert Black Snake''' or '''Black Desert Cobra'''.<ref name="ITIS">[http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=700713 ITIS (Desert Black Snake)]</ref> It was long considered to be the only species within the [[genus]] '''''Walterinnesia'''''. However, it was recently found that the eastern populations actually represent a different species, ''W. morgani''.<ref name="Nilson07">Nilson, G. & N. Rastegar-Pouyani (2007) ''Walterinnesia aegyptia'' Lataste, 1887 (Ophidia: Elapidae) and the status of ''Naja morgani'' Mocquard 1905. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 14: 7-14.</ref> ''W. aegyptia'' is entirely [[black]] in color, and has highly shiny [[scale (zoology)|scales]]. ''W. morgani'' differs in having a juvenile pattern of reddish crossbars on the back, and lower average ventral and subcaudal scale counts.<ref name="Nilson07"/>
(See the article on the genus at ''[[Walterinnesia]]'')

==Physical description==
==Distribution==
These snakes are medium in length, with a medium, cylindrical body and a short tail. Their average length is {{convert|0.5|m|sp=us}}, but they can grow to lengths of {{convert|1.8|m|sp=us}}. Their head is moderately small, broad, flattened and slightly distinct from the neck. The snout is broad, sharply edged with a distinct canthus rostralis. The eyes are small in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth anteriorly and weakly keeled on the posterior part of the body and tail. They are very glossy throughout. Dorsal scale count 27 (24 to 29) - 23 (21 - 25) - 17.<ref name="WCH">[http://www.toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0049 Clinical Toxinology Resources - ''Walterinnesia aegyptia'']</ref> Unlike other snakes commonly referred to as "cobras", the black desert cobra rarely rear up or produces a hood before striking in defense.
The range of the species encompasses southern [[Israel]], north-western [[Saudi Arabia]], western [[Jordan]], [[Iraq]], [[Egypt]]’s [[Sinai Peninsula]] and possibly [[Lebanon]]. The [[Type (biology)#type locality|type locality]] is [[Cairo]], where the [[Type (biology)#Type specimen|type specimen]] was purchased.<ref name="rdb"/>

==Geographical range and habitat==
They are native to the [[Middle East]]. ''Walterinnesia aegyptia'' is found in the countries of [[Egypt]], [[Lebanon]], [[Jordan]],. [[Israel]], and northwestern [[Saudi Arabia]]. It may also be found in areas of [[Syria]] that border Lebanon.<ref name="Ugurt01">Ugurtas I. H., Papenfuss T. J., and Orlov N. L. (2001), New record of ''Walterinnesia aegyptia'' Lataste, 1887 (Ophidia: Elapidae: Bungarinae) in Turkey,” Russian Journal of Herpetology, 8: 239 – 245</ref>

===Habitat===
This species occurs in the desert (excluding completely sand deserts such as the [[ad-Dahna Desert]]). They can also be found in [[Semi-arid climate|semi-desert scrublands]] and rocky terrain, extending into the foothills of vegetated Mediterranean terrain. They are also often found near human habitation in irrigated agricultural settlements.<ref name="WCH"/>

==Behaviour and diet==
The Desert black snake are [[nocturnal]] and are strictly [[Terrestrial animal|terrestrial]] snakes. They are most active around midnight. They actively pursue and forage for their [[prey]] and rather than envenomate its prey with an open mouth, they'll usually bite their prey sideways at short distances and often use constriction and suffocation techniques in addition to their venom to kill their prey.<ref name="Nilson07"/> There are reports of this snake being aggressive when molested, but like most snakes, it will usually try to escape rather than immediately bite or face their threat. Venom is not injected immediately when it bites but released seconds later with chewing movement.<ref name="WCH"/>

===Diet===
This species feeds mainly on [[lizard]]s such as [[skink]]s, [[gecko]]s, [[agamid]]s, other snakes, [[toad]]s and occasionally [[mice]] and [[bird]]s. It will also readily eat [[carrion]].<ref name="WCH"/>


==Venom==
==Venom==
This species is highly venomous. The subcutaneous {{LD50}} for the venom of ''W. aegyptia'' is 0.4&nbsp;mg/kg. For comparison, the [[Indian cobra]]'s (''Naja naja'') subcutaneous {{LD50}} is 0.80&nbsp;mg/kg, while the [[Cape cobra]]'s (''Naja nivea'') subcutaneous {{LD50}} is 0.72&nbsp;mg/kg. This makes the ''W. aegyptia'' (or ''Desert Black Snake'') a more venomous snake than both.<ref>[http://www.seanthomas.net/oldsite/ld50tot.html LD50 Menu]</ref> Like all elapid snakes, the venom is primarily neurotoxic and effects of envenenomation are from systemic circulation of the toxins rather than from local effect on tissue near the site of injection.<ref>Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson J, Loscalzo J. eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2012.</ref>
The desert cobra is highly venomous. The subcutaneous {{LD50}} for the venom of ''W. aegyptia'' is 0.4&nbsp;mg/kg. For comparison, the [[Indian cobra]]'s (''Naja naja'') subcutaneous {{LD50}} is 0.80&nbsp;mg/kg, while the [[Cape cobra]]'s (''Naja nivea'') subcutaneous {{LD50}} is 0.72&nbsp;mg/kg. This makes the desert black snake a more venomous snake than both.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.seanthomas.net/oldsite/ld50tot.html |title=LD50 Menu |access-date=2011-10-11 |archive-date=2012-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201062634/http://www.seanthomas.net/oldsite/ld50tot.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Venom toxins of the desert cobra are similar to those of the [[king cobra]] (''Ophiophagus hannah''), indicating a close relationship.<ref name="rdb"/>

Like many elapid snakes, the venom is primarily neurotoxic and the effects of envenenomation are due to systemic circulation of the toxins rather than from local effects on tissue near the site of injection.<ref>Longo DL, [[Anthony S. Fauci|Fauci AS]], Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson J, Loscalzo J (editors) (2012). ''Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th Edition''. New York: McGraw-Hill. 4,012 pp. {{ISBN|978-0071748896}}.</ref>
A survey of the literature revealed only a few clinical cases reported. Most of the information concerning ''W. aegyptia'' was collected from laboratory and animal studies.

== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
*{{EMBL species|genus=Walterinnesia|species=aegyptia}}
{{Taxonbar|from= Q1787873}}
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Elapidae]]
[[Category:Walterinnesia|aegyptia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Asia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of the Middle East]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Israel]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Fernand Lataste]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1887]]
{{Elapidae-stub}}

Latest revision as of 19:57, 26 December 2024

Walterinnesia aegyptia
Walterinnesia aegyptia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Walterinnesia
Species:
W. aegyptia
Binomial name
Walterinnesia aegyptia
Lataste, 1887

Walterinnesia aegyptia, also known as the desert cobra or desert black snake, is a species of venomous snakes in the family Elapidae that is native to the Middle East. The specific epithet aegyptia (“of Egypt”) refers to part of its geographic range.[2]

Description and behaviour

[edit]

(See the article on the genus at Walterinnesia)

Distribution

[edit]

The range of the species encompasses southern Israel, north-western Saudi Arabia, western Jordan, Iraq, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and possibly Lebanon. The type locality is Cairo, where the type specimen was purchased.[2]

Venom

[edit]

The desert cobra is highly venomous. The subcutaneous LD50 for the venom of W. aegyptia is 0.4 mg/kg. For comparison, the Indian cobra's (Naja naja) subcutaneous LD50 is 0.80 mg/kg, while the Cape cobra's (Naja nivea) subcutaneous LD50 is 0.72 mg/kg. This makes the desert black snake a more venomous snake than both.[3] Venom toxins of the desert cobra are similar to those of the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), indicating a close relationship.[2]

Like many elapid snakes, the venom is primarily neurotoxic and the effects of envenenomation are due to systemic circulation of the toxins rather than from local effects on tissue near the site of injection.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Amr, Z.S.S.; Al Johany, A.M.H.; Egan, D.M.; Baha El Din, S.; Ugurtas, I.H.; Werner, Y.L.; Disi, A.M.; Tok, V.; Sevinç, M. (2017) [errata version of 2012 assessment]. "Walterinnesia aegyptia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T164671A115304177. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T164671A1066007.en. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Walterinnesia aegyptia LATASTE, 1887". Reptile Database. Peter Uetz and Jakob Hallermann. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  3. ^ "LD50 Menu". Archived from the original on 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
  4. ^ Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson J, Loscalzo J (editors) (2012). Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. 4,012 pp. ISBN 978-0071748896.
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