This species is listed as Least Concern as it occurs over a wide area of the western Arabia Peninsula. Its population status is however unknown. A recent increase in levels of exploitation for medicine and the international pet trade is a cause for concern and should be monitored to clarify whether this species is declining and, if so, the scale of any declines.

This cobra is found in the western Arabian Peninsula (western and southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman) (van der Kooij 2001, Egan 2007). It inhabits mountain highlands generally 1,500 m or more asl (Egan 2007).

It is a common species in Saudi Arabia. In Oman, it may be locally common in mesic habitats (van der Kooij 2001). They are elusive and rarely seen snakes (Egan 2007). While the current status of this snake's population is unclear, it is known to be exploited for venom extraction and demand for this cobra in the international pet trade is increasing (J. Els pers. comm. June 2012). Animals exploited for both purposes are exclusively mature adults, and this has potentially serious implications for the health of this snake's population (J. Els pers. comm. June 2012). It is therefore likely that this snake is either presently declining or at risk of declines in the near future.

This diurnal species appears to be associated with mesic habitats throughout its range (Arnold 1980, van der Kooij 2001). Egan (2007) notes that they are generally water-dependent. This cobra's diet consists of amphibians, birds, small mammals and reptiles (van der Kooij 2001, Egan 2007). Females produce 10-19 eggs.

This species is exploited throughout its range. Animals harvested for both venom extraction and the international pet trade are invariably adults, removing members of the breeding population with potentially serious ramifications (J. Els pers. comm. June 2012). Both of these pressures have recently increased (J. Els pers. comm. June 2012). Poor husbandry practices result in the deaths of most wild-caught adults and an inability to develop captive populations of cobras for medicinal purposes, with the result that large numbers of animals are still removed from the wild to supply this industry (J. Els pers. comm. 2012). Many animals are killed on sight by farmers and villagers.

Animals are collected for venom extraction, for the pet trade and as exhibition animals. There has been a recent increase in demand for this species in the international pet trade (J. Els pers. comm. June 2012), but there is no information on whether levels of exploitation have increased to satisfy this demand. Collection for venom extraction has been ongoing since 2008, but husbandry practices are poor and most animals die during the extraction process (J. Els pers. comm. June 2012).

This snake is likely present in some protected areas. There is a need to better regulate and monitor the collection of animals for the pet trade and medicinal use. Further studies are needed into the distribution, abundance, natural history, and threats to this little-known species.