Snouted Cobra

Snouted cobras can grow to a size of 8.2 feet.

habitat in the southern part of Africa. The bite of a snouted cobra has powerful venom that can result in death if the person doesn’t receive antivenom. The diet of this snake consists of rodents, birds, toads, and sometimes other snakes. Snouted cobras are known for having a particularly large, some say giant, hood.

4 Snouted Cobra Amazing Facts

• This snake may live in the same abandoned termite mound for years.
• It can lay from 11 to 33 eggs.
• It sometimes eats other snakes such as the puff adder.
• The venomous bite of this snake can cause a human to go into respiratory failure and if not treated eventually causes death.

Where to Find Snouted Cobras

The snouted cobra can be found in various locations, including savannas and woodlands.

The snouted cobra lives in the southeastern portion of Africa. It is found in the countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

These snakes exist in a savannah habitat. They also are seen in the bushveld and Lowveld regions. These regions have some grassy areas along with large gatherings of dry, scrubby trees.

Snouted cobras are a little more visible in their habitat during mating season in the spring. Eggs are laid early in the summertime.

They are nocturnal, searching for their food at night. During the day they are sometimes observed sunning themselves on rocks to increase their body temperature. This behavior is common in snakes and is called basking.

Countries where this snake is found:

1. Botswana
2. Eswatini
3. Malawi
4. Mozambique
5. South Africa
6. Zambia
7. Zimbabwe

Snouted Cobra Scientific Name

The scientific name of the snouted cobra is Naja annulifera. The genus name Naja is based on the Sanskrit (south Asian language) word naga, which means cobra. The genus includes some of the most venomous snakes in the world. The species name annulifera may derive from the Latin term anus, meaning ring-shaped. This could be a reference to the banded colors along the body.

Snouted Cobra Population & Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the snouted cobra is considered to be a species of least concern. Unfortunately, scientists have not gathered enough facts about its population numbers to make a proper estimate, but the species does appear to be common and stable throughout its entire range.

How to Identify Snouted Cobras: Appearance and Description

Snouted cobras differ in their scale colors. Some have yellow or grayish-brown scales on their back while others have bluish-black scales. Some snouted cobras have a scale pattern featuring alternating horizontal bands of yellow and brown. This is why it’s called a banded cobra. Its belly is yellow with dark blotches. Some snouted cobras have dark rings around their throat.

It’s called the snouted cobra because it has an especially large rostral scale on the end of its snout. The extra strong scale helps this snake as it pushes its nose into the ground to burrow.

A notable feature of this snake is the dark scale beneath each eye resembling a tear. Plus, it has an especially large hood compared to other types of cobras.

How to identify a snouted cobra:

• Solid yellowish-gray or blue/black scales
• The possible alternating pattern of yellow and brown bands
• Yellow belly with dark splotches
• Dark rings around the throat area
• Prominent scale on the end of its snout
• A dark scale resembling a teardrop beneath each eye
• An extra-large or giant hood compared to other cobras

Snouted Cobra: How Dangerous Are They?

By using its sharp fangs, the snouted cobra can deliver a dangerous mix of toxins.

Snouted cobras are considered very dangerous due to their fast-acting, potent venom. This snake spreads its giant hood and stares down a threat to frighten it away. It even opens its mouth and makes a hissing sound! Or it moves out of the area if possible to escape the danger. In other words, it is not aggressive and doesn’t immediately try to bite.

Of course, some people are bitten by snouted cobras. A person walking in the snake’s habitat may step on one. When this snake is resting on the ground it blends into its surroundings very well. Other people are bitten while trying to handle this snake.

If a bite occurs, the first step is to get the person to a medical facility so quick treatment can be administered. On the way to the hospital, the injured person should remain as still as they can. It’s important to remove any watches or jewelry so they won’t interfere if swelling occurs on the injured limb. Apply a clean bandage and make sure it is providing moderate pressure to the bite wound.

It may be tempting for the person to massage the bite wound to lessen the pain, but this should be avoided. Massaging the wound can cause the venom to travel further into the person’s system.

There’s an antivenom available to treat the bite of a snouted cobra.

Snouted Cobra Behavior and Humans

These snakes are abundant in South Africa but stay hidden in their savannah habitat most of the time. So, humans don’t usually see these snakes.

Mice and rats make up a big part of this snake’s diet. In short, they play an important part in the ecosystem by helping to control the population of rodents.

Similar Animals

• False water cobra
• Egyptian cobra
• Yellow cobra
• Monocled cobra