West African banded cobra
| West African banded cobra | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Naja |
| Subgenus: | Boulengerina |
| Species: | N. savannula |
| Binomial name | |
| Naja savannula (Broadley, Trape, Chirio & Wüster in Wüster et al., 2018) | |
The West African banded cobra (Naja savannula) is a species of cobra in the genus Naja that is found in West Africa.
This species was previously thought to be identical to the forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca), but morphological and genetic differences have led to its recognition as a separate species. It differs from Naja melanoleuca and other forest cobras in having a series of 3–8 broad, semi-divided light bands across the anterior body.