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Cape Cobra

Naja nivea

The Cape Cobra is a beautiful snake with a yellow or brown body. It can be found in Africa and is known for its impressive hood when it feels threatened. This snake is very fast and can be dangerous, so it's best to admire it from a distance!

Habitat: Desert, Grasslands

Appearance

The Cape Cobra is a sleek, medium to large snake with highly variable coloring, ranging from bright yellow to golden-brown, reddish, or dark brown. It has a broad head and can spread a narrow hood when threatened, making its neck appear wider than its head.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderSerpentesFamilyElapidaeGenusNaja
Cape Cobra
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Cape Cobra

Category

Reptiles

Rarity

Common

Danger

5/5 · Extreme

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby cobras are born venomous and ready to hunt!

Cape Cobras often climb trees to hunt birds!

Its venom is so strong, it can affect breathing!

They sometimes pretend to be dead to trick predators!

Special abilities

Ability

Potent Paralysis

Cape Cobra can deliver a highly potent neurotoxic venom because it helps them quickly paralyze and subdue their prey.

Ability

Intimidation Display

Cape Cobra can raise a wide hood and hiss loudly because it helps them look much bigger and scarier to predators.

Ability

Natural Camouflage

Cape Cobra has highly variable skin colors because it helps them blend perfectly into diverse habitats like sand or rocks.

Measurements & details

Length
120-180 cm
Weight
3-5 kg
Lifespan
10-15 years
Top Speed
12 km/h
Clutch Size
8-20
Incubation
60-70 days

Diet & Feeding

Cape Cobras are expert hunters, eating rodents, lizards, birds, and even other snakes!

Age differences: Younger cobras focus on small lizards and frogs; adults hunt larger prey.

Primary Foods

  • Mastomys coucha
  • Agama atra
  • Passer domesticus
  • Sclerophrys capensis
  • Psammophis subtaeniatus

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Multimammate mouse

Mastomys coucha

A main food source for the cobra.

hunts

Southern Rock Agama

Agama atra

Preys on these common lizards.

eaten by

Black-chested Snake-eagle

Circaetus pectoralis

Frequently preyed upon by this eagle.

eaten by

Honey Badger

Mellivora capensis

A formidable predator of adult cobras.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

5/5 · Extreme

If you see a snake, stay calm and walk away slowly. It's best to admire them from a safe distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Cape Cobra?

120-180 cm

How much does Cape Cobra weigh?

3-5 kg

How long does Cape Cobra live?

10-15 years

How fast can Cape Cobra move?

12 km/h

What does Cape Cobra eat?

Cape Cobras are expert hunters, eating rodents, lizards, birds, and even other snakes!

Where is Cape Cobra usually found?

Desert, Grasslands

How does Cape Cobra hunt?

Pursuit

How many eggs does Cape Cobra lay?

8-20

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