Black python (Desert Cobra)

Black python (Desert Cobra)

Scientific name: Walterinnesia aegyptia
Distribution: Desert and arid areas from Iran to Egypt
Situation In the wild: common
Jerusalem zoo: one individual found at the Small animal Building 
In the bible: The snake is mentioned 25 times in the bible. 

Known in Israel as the Black python, but known more commonly as the Desert cobra, this snake belongs to the Python family and is the largest among all the poisonous snake families. In Israel it is the only representative of this family. The cobra can reach a length of up to 4 ft .Its body round and its head narrow like many non poisonous snakes. The Black python is to be found in desert and arid areas from Iran to Egypt. This is the reason for its scientific name (aegyptia- Egypt). In Israel this snake can be found in the Negev, Arava and the Judean desert. During the day the it lives in its shelter underground, waiting until nighttime to search for its prey. Its excellent sense of smell compenses for its weak eyesight and in this way it finds birds, lizards, mice and other snakes. It also feeds on dead animals- carrion. After its first holding bite the black Python needs will hold its prey for a long time before the venom can be injected and take effect - until the prey is dead. This fact is important to us because if one is bitten by a Black Python, mostly, there will be enough time release its hold so as to avoid the venom injection, which can be deadly to humans. The venom attacks the nervous muscular and respiratory systems causing death. After the prey is dead the snake releases its hold, unhinges its jaws and swallows the dead animal very slowly.