The Nubian spitting cobra or Egyptian spitting cobra (Naja nubiae) is a species of spitting cobra native to Africa.

Quick Facts Naja nubiae, Conservation status ...

Naja nubiae
Nubian cobra
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Naja
Species:	N. nubiae
Binomial name
Naja nubiae Wüster & Broadley, 2003[2]
Nubian spitting cobra distribution

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A relatively small spitting cobra. Maximum recorded length 148 cm. In 2024,a specimen hunted from Luxor Egypt reached 180 cm. Colour and pattern: Brownish-grey overall, scale bases and skin between scales black. Belly slightly lighter. Dark band across nape, dark ring across throat and neck, usually an additional dark band on belly, bands may fade with age. Scalation: 207–226 ventrals, 58–72 subcaudals, 23–29 scale rows around neck, 23–27 scale rows at midbody, 1–2 preoculars, 6–8 supralabials.^[3]

When provoked, the nubian spitting cobra will rear up, spread a hood, hiss loudly, spit and lunge towards the enemy. It can also spit even without spreading out a hood or rear up as well. It's rarely aggressive and tends to rather flee from an enemy, but if cornered or trapped it will attack defensively.

A scattered distribution in north-eastern Africa: Egypt (Nile Valley), Sudan (Nile Valley, Darfur), western Eritrea, Chad (Ennedi Plateau) and Niger (Aïr Mountains).^[3]

It was previously confused with the red spitting cobra (Naja pallida), but was distinguished based on detailed morphological and mitochondrial DNA analysis.^[3]