São Tomé forest cobra

The São Tomé forest cobra is a large, venomous snake (Naja peroescobari) found in the humid forests of São Tomé and Príncipe. It is part of the cobra family (Elapidae) and is known for its agility. While generally calm, its bite can be lethal if untreated. This snake, which can grow over 2.7 meters (9 feet) long, has glossy black scales, a white chin and underbelly, and a distinctive threat display where it rears up and expands a narrow hood. Its diet includes fish, amphibians, lizards, eggs, and small mammals. The venom contains neurotoxins that affect the nervous system. The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe are home to many endemic species due to their isolation.12