Snouted Cobra

The Snouted Cobra is largely a moist and dry savannah inhabitant, but is also found in Lowveld and bushveld areas where it actively hunts its prey.

Full Name: Snouted Cobra (Naja annulifera)

Classification: HIGHLY VENOMOUS

Map indicating the distribution of the Snouted Cobra (Naja annulifera) in Africa

The Snouted Cobra is largely a moist and dry savannah inhabitant, but is also found in Lowveld and bushveld areas where it actively hunts its prey.

It feeds on rodents, birds, their eggs and toads, but is fond of eating snakes, including the Puff Adder. It is not an aggressive snake, but if cornered will stand its ground and form an impressive hood. It can exceed 2.5 m in length. It is usually different shades of brown, but a banded variety does occur.

The venom of this snake is both neurotoxic and cytotoxic and may cause some tissue damage. Polyvalent antivenom neutralises its venom, but bites are rare.

African Snakebite Institute