What specific head feature is consistently present at the back of the Naja nivea head across color morphs?
Answer
A pair of large occipital scales.
When scrutinizing the definitive physical traits of *Naja nivea* that remain constant regardless of external coloration—whether yellow, brown, or black—herpetologists look towards fixed anatomical markers. A crucial and reliable identifier noted across many individuals is the presence of a pair of large occipital scales situated at the posterior aspect of the head. While subtle features like supralabial scale counts are technical, the presence of these large occipital scales is a generally observable structural trait confirming identity irrespective of the body's pigmentation or pattern expression.
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