[4] The specific name, goldii, is in honor of George Taubman Goldie, a Manx administrator in Nigeria.

[3] Goldie's tree cobra is one of the largest venomous snakes in Africa, measuring 2.2–2.7 metres (7.2–8.9 ft) in total length (including tail).

It has a cylindrical body with a long, spiky tail, which makes the snake more adaptable to arboreal life.

The head is small with exceptionally large eyes, giving the snake excellent eyesight.

[citation needed] Goldie's tree cobra can be found in Central and Western Equatorial African countries, including Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.

[1][2] Being an arboreal species, P. goldii inhabits forests and woodlands along rivers and streams, at altitudes from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).

[citation needed] P. goldii venom is one of the most toxic and deadly of all African snakes.