The Cape cobra (Naja nivea), also called the yellow cobra, is a moderate-sized, highly venomous species of cobra inhabiting a wide variety of biomes across southern Africa including arid savanna, fynbos, bushveld, desert and semi-desert regions.
Are there any cobras in South Africa?
In Southern Africa there are seven cobra species, plus one subspecies. These snakes are all are well adapted and occur in thick coastal forest in the east, into bushveld and throughout the dry regions of the west. In Southern Africa cobras are mostly absent from high altitude mountainous regions.
Are there any cobras in Africa?
Africa’s largest true cobra is not one, but five separate species, a new study has confirmed. Two of these species, the black forest cobra (N. guineensis) and the West African banded cobra (N. savannula), are new to science.
Are there king cobras in Africa?
King cobras live mainly in the rain forests and plains of India, southern China, and Southeast Asia, and their coloring can vary greatly from region to region. They are comfortable in a variety of habitats, including forests, bamboo thickets, mangrove swamps, high-altitude grasslands, and in rivers.
Why is it called Cape cobra?
Derivation of scientific name
The genus name, Naja, is the Latinisation of the Sanskrit word nāgá, which means ‘cobra’. The specific epithet, nivea, comes from the Latin nivis, meaning snowy, possibly referring to the whitish discolouration of the first preserved specimens seen by European taxonomists.
Where can I find cobras?
Cobras are among the most venomous snakes in the world and are found in a variety of habitats from tropical rainforests to savannas and deserts in Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia and some islands of southeast Asia.
Which countries have cobras?
King cobras are endemic across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. They are also found in the southern regions of East Asia where they are not as common. The snake is endemic in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Burma, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore, and Vietnam.
What snakes are in Cape Town?
Snakes Of Cape Town
- Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) HIGHLY VENOMOUS.
- Berg Adder (Bitis atropos) HIGHLY VENOMOUS.
- Coral Snake (Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus) VENOMOUS.
- Spotted Harlequin Snake (Homoroselaps lacteus) VENOMOUS.
- Karoo Sand Snake (Psammophis notostictus) – Venomous not medically significant.
Are there spitting cobras in South Africa?
Spitting in snakes is found in some of the cobras of the genus Naja and the Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus). … In southern Africa, spitting occurs in 4 cobra species and the Rinkhals.
Do cobras live in Egypt?
Egyptian Cobras live in an extensive variety of habitats like arid semi-desert regions that contain patches of vegetation and water, dry to moist savannas, and steppes. They are also found in scrub vegetation and agricultural fields that are near water bodies.
Does South America have cobras?
Hydrodynastes gigas is a New World species of large, rear-fanged, colubrid snake endemic to South America. It is commonly and alternatively known as the false water cobra and the Brazilian smooth snake.
Can you survive a Cape cobra bite?
Serious Versus Deadly Snakebites
Most of the deaths resulting from snakebite in southern Africa are a result of Cape Cobra and Black Mamba bites. The vast majority of snakebite victims who are hospitalised soon after a bite, will survive. No more than 15% of snakebite victims will require antivenom.
Will a snake chase you?
While dangerous, rattlesnakes (and most snakes in general) are not aggressive and won’t chase you. They only strike when they’re threatened or accidentally touched by someone who can’t see them while walking or climbing.