Banded egyptian cobra
The Snouted cobra (Naja annulifera) is a highly venomous species of cobra found in Southern Africa. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Egyptian cobra.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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Highly venomousHighly venomous animals are able to produce the most toxic venom which is considered to be one of the most debilitating and potentially deadly.
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Snouted cobra is a relatively large species. The coloration of its dorsal scales may vary from yellowish to greyish-brown, dark brown, or blue-black. Ventral scale coloration is yellow with darker mottles. A banded phase occurs throughout the species' range and is blue-black with 7-11 yellow to yellow-brown cross bars, the lighter bands being half the width of the darker bands. The latter color phase is more common in males. Ventrally, it is yellow mottled with black. A darker throat band is present and is usually more prominent in juveniles.
Snouted cobras are found in northeast South Africa, southern Mozambique, eastern Botswana, Malawi, throughout Zimbabwe, Zambia and parts of Eswatini. They prefer to live in arid and moist savannas, particularly in bushveld and lowveld areas.
Snouted cobras are solitary and nocturnal snakes that forage for food from dusk onwards. They enjoy basking in the sun during the day near their lair or retreat. Snouted cobras often have a permanent home base or lair in an abandoned termite mound, where they will reside for years if left undisturbed. They can be quite nervous and will strike to defend themselves if threatened. Like other cobras, when disturbed, they usually raise the front-third of their body when extending their hood and hissing. Very large adults are able to lift as much as 0.5 m of their body off the ground while spreading a wide, impressive hood. However, given the opportunity, they prefer to escape to the nearest hole or crevice. Like the rinkhals, Snouted cobras may sham death if threatened, but this is rare.
Snouted cobras are highly venomous species with neurotoxic venom. Their bite can affect breathing, and if left untreated, may cause respiratory failure and death. Initial symptoms include pain and local swelling that may result in blistering. Typically, victims are bitten on the lower leg, usually at night.
Snouted cobras are carnivores and prey on toads, rodents, birds and their eggs, and lizards. They also eat other snakes, especially Puff adders.
Snouted cobras are oviparous and females lay between 8 and 33 eggs in early summer. The young average 22 to 34 cm (8.7 to 13.4 in) in length when they hatch.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Snouted cobra total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are stable.
