Cape cobra
Cape cobra | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Elapidae |
Genus: | Naja |
Subgenus: | Uraeus
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Species: | N. nivea
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Binomial name | |
Naja nivea | |
distribution
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Synonyms[3] | |
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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 semidesert regions.
The species is
Etymology
Naja nivea was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758.[2] The generic name naja is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word nāgá (नाग) meaning "cobra". The specific epithet nivea is derived from the Latin words either nix or nivis meaning "snow" or niveus meaning "snowy" [4] or "snow-white". The connection with snow is obscure, but might have been suggested by discolouration of the first preserved specimens received by taxonomists in Europe.
Taxonomy
Naja |
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Description
The Cape cobra is a medium-sized species of cobra. Mature specimens are typically about 1.2 to 1.4 m (3.9 to 4.6 ft) long, but may grow up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length. Males are slightly larger than females. The longest specimen on record is a male from Aus, Namibia, measured 1.88 m (6.2 ft) long.[6] Another very large specimen was also a male found in De Hoop Nature Reserve with a total length of 1.86 metres (6.1 ft).[7]
Cape cobras vary widely in colouration, from yellow through golden brown to dark brown and even black. In addition, individuals show a varying degree of black or pale stippling and blotches, and although colour and marking are geographically related, observing virtually all colour varieties is possible at one location. For example, the
Dorsal at midbody | Ventral | Subcaudal | Anal plate | Upper labials | Upper labials to eye | Preoculars | Postoculars | Lower labials | Temporal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
21 | 195-227 | 50-68 (paired) | Single | 7 | 3+4 | 1 | 3 (can be 4) | 9 (8-10) | 1+2 (variable) |
Distribution and habitat
The Cape cobra is endemic to southern Africa. In
Although the Cape cobra has a smaller geographical range than any other African cobra, it occurs in a variety of different habitats. The preferred habitat of the species is
In Lesotho, they may occur at altitudes as high as 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level. They occur in forest and high grassland areas of Free State province, in rocky hills of the Cape Province, and in desert and semidesert areas throughout their geographical range. Cape cobras venture into villages, partially developed suburbs, and squatter communities, where they may enter houses to escape the heat of the day or to seek prey such as rodents. This brings them into direct contact with humans.[6][8]
Behaviour and ecology
The Cape cobra is a
Diet
This species of cobra is a feeding generalist.[7] It feeds on a wide spectrum of prey, including other snakes, rodents, lizards, birds, and carrion. Recorded prey items for this species at De Hoop from October 2004 to March 2006 showed that 31% of the species' diet consisted of rodents, 20% was other snakes, 11% lizards, 11% birds, 16% carrion, and 11% "conspecifics". In the same study period conducted at De Hoop, Cape cobras were seen scavenging and feeding on carrion on two occasions.[10] Both were road-killed snakes, the first, an adult Psammophylax rhombeatus, the second an adult karoo whip snake, Psammophis notostictus. It is also well known for raiding sociable weaver (Philetairus socius) nests.[6] Cape cobras can be cannibalistic, sometimes eating the young of its own kind.[8]
Predators
Predators of Cape cobras include the
Reproduction
This species is oviparous. Mating season is during September and October, when these snakes may be more aggressive than usual. Females lay between 8 and 20 eggs (roughly 60 × 25 mm in size) in midsummer (December–January), in a hole or an abandoned termite mound or some other warm, wet location.[8] The hatchlings measure between 34 and 40 cm (13 and 16 in) in length,[6] and are completely independent from birth. In one captive study, mating occurred in September and oviposition was in November. Its gestation period was about 42 days and the incubation period was 65–70 days around 28–33 °C (82.4–91.4 °F). Clutch size was 11–14 (n=2) and hatchling ratio was one male to five females.[12]
Venom
The Cape cobra is regarded as one of the most dangerous species of cobra in all of Africa, by virtue of its potent venom and frequent occurrence around houses.[13] The venom of this snake tends to be thick and syrupy in consistency and dries into shiny pale flakes, not unlike yellow sugar.
The Cape cobra's venom is made up of potent postsynaptic
References
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T110168750A139749003. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T110168750A139749003.en. Downloaded on 22 September 2021.
- ^ a b c "Naja nivea". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ Uetz, P. "Naja nivea". Reptile Database. The Reptile Database. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ "Etymology of Nivis". Etymology. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
- S2CID 14702999. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ ISBN 1-86872-932-X.
- ^ a b c d e f Phelps, Tony (2007). "Observations of the Cape cobra, Naja nivea (Serpentes: Elapidae) in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape Province, South Africa" (PDF). Herpetological Bulletin. Cape Reptile Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
- ^ ISBN 0-7137-2394-7.
- ^ Photo from Simplon (Namibia), see German page Simplon (Namibia)
- ^ Phelps, Tony (2006). "Elapidae (Naja nivea) Scavenging" (PDF). African Herp News (40) June 2006. Cape Reptile Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 22, 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
- ^ Begg, Colleen; Begg, Keith. "Honey Badgers". Honey badger research project by the Beggs. National Geographic Magazine. Archived from the original on December 30, 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ Morgan, Dave R.; Haagner, Gerald V. (1992). "Husbandry and Propagation of the Cape cobra (Naja nivea) at the Manyeleti Reptile Centre (pg 3)". The Journal of Herpetological Association of Africa. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- ^ Morgan, Dave R.; Haagner, Gerald V. (1992). "Husbandry and Propagation of the Cape cobra (Naja nivea) at the Manyeleti Reptile Centre (pg 1)". The Journal of Herpetological Association of Africa. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Naja nivea: General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms". Clinical Toxinology Resource. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-398-02808-4.
- ^ "Easy Snake Identification | snakeID.online". snakedb.org. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
- ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
- ^ Davidson, Terence. "IMMEDIATE FIRST AID For bites by Cape Cobra (Naja nivea)". Snakebite Protocol. University of California, San Diego. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012.