About Naja annulifera Peters, 1854
The snouted cobra (Naja annulifera Peters, 1854) is a relatively large cobra species. Adult individuals average 1.2 to 1.8 metres (3.9 to 5.9 ft) in length, and may reach up to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft). The colour of its dorsal scales ranges from yellowish to greyish-brown, dark brown, or blue-black. Ventral scales are yellow with darker mottled markings. A banded colour phase occurs across the entire species range: individuals in this phase are blue-black with 7 to 11 yellow to yellow-brown cross bars, with the lighter bands half the width of the darker blue-black bands. This banded phase is more common in males. Banded phase snouted cobras have a yellow ventral surface mottled with black. A darker throat band is present, and it is usually more prominent in juveniles. This species is distributed across northeast South Africa, southern Mozambique, eastern Botswana, Malawi, all of Zimbabwe, and parts of Eswatini. Snouted cobras live in both arid and moist savanna, most often in bushveld and lowveld areas. They do not occur in forests. As a large cobra, this species typically maintains a permanent home base or lair inside an abandoned termite mound, and will remain in this location for years if left undisturbed. It is a nocturnal species that begins foraging at dusk. During the day, it basks in the sun close to its lair or retreat. This species can be quite nervous, and will strike to defend itself when threatened. Like other cobras, when disturbed it usually raises the front third of its body, extends its hood, and hisses. Very large adults can lift up to 0.5 m of their body off the ground while spreading a wide, impressive hood. When given the opportunity, however, it will escape to the nearest hole or crevice. Like the rinkhals, it may feign death when threatened, though this behaviour is rare. It preys on toads, rodents, birds and their eggs, lizards, and other snakes, especially puff adders (Bitis arietans). It frequently raids poultry runs and can become a nuisance. Predators of the snouted cobra include birds of prey and other snakes. This is an oviparous species that lays between 8 and 33 eggs in early summer. Newly hatched young average 22 to 34 cm (8.7 to 13.4 in) in length.
