Snouted cobra (Naja annulifera)

Short answers

Snouted cobra: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 330×165×165 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, cobras).

Snouted cobra: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–32 °C, basking spot 34–37 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Snouted cobra: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended.

Snouted cobra: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20+ years.

Snouted cobra: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–32 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

34–37 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

UVB recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 330×165×165 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, cobras)

Substrate

Sand-loam, heavy rock structures, hides

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice and rats

Feeding interval

adults every 10–14 days

Key facts

Adult size

150–220 cm

Life expectancy

20+ years

Origin

Southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa)

Protection status

VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal under German state law

Brumation

A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks is possible

Cohabitation

Keep singly. The species regularly eats other snakes and strikes at anything that moves when feeding – one animal per enclosure is the only safe and stress-free solution, not least because during every task you must know where the animal is. For breeding, put them together only briefly and under supervision.

Notes

A large, powerful cobra of the dry savannah. Long treated as a subspecies of Naja haje.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Snouted cobra (Naja annulifera) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
• Indian cobra (Naja naja) – Expert
• Chinese cobra (Naja atra) – Expert
• Indochinese spitting cobra (Naja siamensis) – Expert
• Javan spitting cobra (Naja sputatrix) – Expert
• Cape cobra (Naja nivea) – Expert
• Monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) – Expert
• Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Snouted cobra (Naja annulifera) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 330×165×165 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, cobras)), substrate (Sand-loam, heavy rock structures, hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.