The shield-nosed cobra is a venomous snake which belongs to the Elapidae family. Its natural habitat is the southern portion of Africa, south of Uganda and Tanzania. Being less brightly colored than the coral snake, it is usually brown and black, with a white throat band. Its scales are arranged between 21 and 25 rows at mid body. All along its belly, the scales are much larger than those located on the rest of the body.
The shield-nosed cobra is short, when compared to other elapid snakes. The adult measures between 50 and 60 cm in length. When it feels cornered, it rears up and spread its narrow hood, huffing and puffing a lot. However, it does not always bite, for sometimes it strike with a closed mouth. It lays up to 12 eggs in summer time. It burrows in loose sand and feeds on rodents and frogs.
Below, the shield nosed cobra of Africa.
