Least Concern Reptiles

Snouted Cobra

Naja annulifera

Snouted Cobra, a venomous snake in African savannas and farmland edges.

Scientific name	Naja annulifera
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Family	Elapidae
Size	Male: approximately 1.2-1.5 meters; Female: approximately 1.0-1.3 meters

See this species in the app

How to identify

Head elongated with a prominent snout; body color typically gray-brown with distinct ring patterns; characteristic expandable neck hood of cobras; large eyes with pale irises; relatively short tail

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, shrubland, grasslands, and edges of agricultural fields

Diet

Carnivorous, primarily preys on small mammals, lizards, frogs, and other snakes

When it is active

Diurnal, more active during morning and evening

Where it lives

Mainly distributed in southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique; less common in Kenya

How to spot it

Easier to spot at dawn or dusk along edges of open woodland savanna and shrubland; maintain a safe distance and avoid disturbance

Photography tips

Use a telephoto lens to photograph, avoid close disturbance, choose a low angle to highlight the expandable neck hood, pay attention to lighting to showcase coloration and ring patterns

Threats

Habitat destruction, human persecution and killing

Similar species

Similar to the common cobra (Naja naja), distinguished by a longer snout and more distinct ring patterns; differs from the black-necked cobra (Naja nigricollis) by neck rings and body coloration

📖 how to spot the snouted cobra on safari 📖 snouted cobra facts habitat and conservation