Walterinnesia

Genus of snakes

Walterinnesia is a genus of venomous snakes in the family Elapidae. The genus contains two species, known commonly as desert black snakes or black desert cobras, which are endemic to the Middle East. The generic name Walterinnesia honours Walter Francis Innes Bey (1858–1937), who was a physician and zoologist in Egypt.

Walterinnesia aegyptia was long considered to be the only species within the genus. However, it was subsequently found that the eastern populations represent a different species, Walterinnesia morgani.

These two species are very similar in appearance and habits. W. aegyptia is entirely black, and has highly shiny scales. W. morgani differs in having a juvenile pattern of reddish crossbars on the back, and lower average ventral and subcaudal scale counts. Unlike other snakes commonly referred to as "cobras", the black desert cobras rarely rear up or produce a hood before striking in defence.

Desert black snakes are strictly terrestrial and nocturnal, being most active around midnight. They actively pursue and forage for their prey and, rather than envenomate their prey with an open mouth, they usually bite sideways at short distances and often use constriction and suffocation techniques in addition to their venom.

The snakes are native to the Middle East, including the countries of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq and Iran.

These species occur in the desert (excluding completely sand deserts such as the ad Dahna Desert). They can also be found in semi desert scrubland and rocky terrain, extending into the foothills of vegetated Mediterranean terrain. They are also often found near human habitation in irrigated agricultural settlements.