The Mali cobra (Naja katiensis), also known as the Katian spitting cobra or West African brown spitting cobra, is a venomous species native to West Africa. It is unique and interesting in several ways. Its body coloration is typically brown or reddish-brown, resembling the red spitting cobra in overall color, though individuals vary. One common marking is a broad dark band across the throat, which may be more pronounced in younger snakes and fade in older ones.
The Mali cobra is both diurnal and nocturnal—juveniles are more active during the day, while adults may hunt at night, especially in very hot areas. It is primarily terrestrial, though it sometimes climbs into bushes or low trees. When resting, it may shelter under logs, rocks, or in burrows.
If threatened, the Mali cobra displays defensive behaviors: it may rear up and spread a narrow hood (though not as dramatically as in some other cobras), and if further provoked, it can spit venom toward the attacker. This spitting ability allows it to defend from a distance, especially targeting the attacker’s eyes. It will bite if directly handled or stepped on.
The venom of the Mali cobra has a mix of postsynaptic neurotoxins and cardiotoxins, with cytotoxic effects (i.e., tissue damage) being significant. In human envenomation cases, symptoms can include severe pain, swelling, blistering, and necrosis (tissue death). Because it is a spitting cobra, venom sprayed into the eyes can cause severe eye injury and even permanent damage without prompt treatment.
Though dangerous, it is not typically among the most lethal cobras; violent systemic effects are less common than local tissue damage, but prompt medical care (including antivenom and wound management) is essential for any bite or venom exposure.
Distribution
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Côte D’ivoire
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Mali
Niger
Nigeria
Senegal
TogoAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
