| Snouted Cobra | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Naja |
| Species: | N. annulifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Naja annulifera Peters, 1854 |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Snouted cobra, Naja annulifera, is a snake species found in southern Africa in Zambia, Zimbabwe, C/S Mozambique, E Botswana, NE South Africa and Swaziland. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Egyptian Cobra Naja haje, and the Anchieta's Cobra (Naja anchietae) was also formerly considered to be a subspecies of the latter species and later this species, before being split as a distinct species.
On March 26, 2011 the Bronx Zoo's Reptile house was closed due to the escape of an adolescent female "Egyptian Cobra". This is actually a Banded Snouted Cobra. The snake was found on March 31, 2011 and named "Mia," for "missing in action," after a contest.
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Most adults of this species are grey-brown above with yellow ventral scales and a brown throat band, but there is also a banded phase with wide yellow and brown bands that occurs throughout its range. Juveniles are lighter being yellow or greenish and having a black throat band and dark scale margins that can form irregular transverse lines.[1]
It is a highly venomous species with neurotoxic venom, and a bite can cause local pain swelling and paralysis and possibly death.[2]
Snouted cobras inhabit savanna grasslands, semideserts, and rocky areas but is also often found nearby humans in gardens and under houses.
Their diet consists of amphibians, small mammals, reptiles including other snakes and birds and their eggs.[3]