The desert cobra is a highly venomous snake native to the Middle East. It is entirely black in colour and has highly shiny scales. It is medium in length, with a medium, cylindrical body and a short tail. Its head is moderately small, broad, flattened and slightly distinct from the neck. The eyes are small in size with round pupils. Unlike other snakes commonly referred to as cobras, the desert cobra rarely rears up or produces a hood before striking in defence.