"hanash" seems to be a generic Arabic word for snake. it also refers to a large black snake beleaved to be venomous-but not a cobra.

Without seeing it the first candidate appears to be a Black phase Coluber jugalaris. Thses can reach over 250cm and are harmless.

WARNING! The other candidate (and the most likely from your description) is Venomous! Walterinnesia aegyptia (sometimes called Black Cobra)can reach 130cm and is a thick bodied burrowing species. It does not display a hood but instead strikes an "S" shaped pose and hisses while trying to hid it's head. It often strikes with a closed mouth.

Will be looking for your pictures,

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

[ Hide Replies ]

• snakes in syria identification - bishr, Wed Apr 7 13:14:18 2004
• RE: snakes in syria identification - rearfang, Wed Apr 7 15:53:39 2004
• RE: snakes in syria identification - lolaophidia, Wed Apr 7 17:41:47 2004
• RE: snakes in syria identification clarification to previous post - lolaophidia, Wed Apr 7 17:46:52 2004
• RE: snakes in syria identification - bishr, Thu Apr 8 15:13:57 2004
• Looks like Coluber najadum to me too. Harmless. - chrish, Wed Apr 7 21:43:16 2004
• RE: snakes in syria identification - WW, Thu Apr 8 05:23:23 2004
• final conclusion - bishr, Fri Apr 9 07:36:36 2004
• Actually... - WW, Fri Apr 9 14:15:26 2004
• RE: Actually... - bishr, Sat Apr 10 11:00:47 2004