African Snakes: Cape Cobra

The Cape Cobra tends to make its home in the southernmost tip of Africa, usually in the region of South Africa, into some parts of southern Botswana and Namibia. In South Africa its primary region of habitation is confined to the central and eastern areas, including into parts of western Lesotho. Its region includes Bloemfontein, but does not reach Johannesburg. It can also be referred to as the Yellow snake, Copper Cobra or Brown Cobra, due to its varying degrees of yellow colouring. The snake makes its home in a variety of types of habitat in the overall region it can be found including in savannah, bushveld, shrublands and even arid desert and semi-desert areas. As a result, the Cape Cobra has developed an extremely wide taste in terms of its prey, which can include everything from other snakes, mice, rats, birds, carrion and lizards. The highest common prey is rodents followed by other snakes. The predators of the Cape Cobra include meerkats, mongooses, other snakes, birds of prey and the honey badger. The aforementioned mammals seem to have high tolerance to the venom of the snake and can handle bites well. Reproduction of the Cape Cobra begins in September and October with the eggs being laid in midsummer, usually November to December. During the mating season, this snake may become significantly more aggressive and biting attacks may become more common due to the snake having higher tendencies to be found around homes and buildings. The hatchlings of the Cape Cobra are usually between 34 and 40 centimeters in length and are independent from the moment of hatching. Eggs are usually laid in warm, wet conditions such as in abandoned termite mounds or in hollowed tree trunks and the like. Gestation periods have been recorded to be about 45 days with incubation being significantly more, coming in around 65-70 days. An interesting fact to note is that while the venom from a Cape Cobra bite can result in death in severe cases, often times management of symptoms and the assistance of breathing through respirators and the like can help the victim survive without the intervention of antivenom. That being said, antivenom is widely available.