Cape coral cobra (Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus)

These little 'cobra's' are very beautyful and very charming. When threatened it will raise the forepart of its body like the real cobra's (Naja) do. The spread neck (the hood) is relatively narrow comparing to the Naja's.

Classification
Elapidae

Distribution
There are three subspecies of Aspidelaps lubricus
The subspecies A. l. lubricus lives from the Karoo in the Cape Province northwards into Namibia.
Aspidelaps lubricus infuscatus is distributed in cantral Namibia. This subspecies is bigger than the nominate form and can be regonized by it's black head. The subspecies cowlesi is rarely seen in captivity. It is found in southern Angola and Northwest Namibia. This subspecies has a somewhat pale coloured head.

Habitat
Cape coral cobra's are equiped with an enlarged rostral shield (scale at the front of the nose) which is used to burrow into their sandy and stony environment. In the wild these snakes are rarely seen because it spends most of its time under the ground. Aspidelaps will be active at night when it hunts for small reptiles (especially lizards) and small rodents. In captivity it will accept pre-killed mice.

Food
In captivity Aspidelaps will feed on pre-killed mice. Newborn snakes sometimes refuse to eat and can be given scented mice or lizards.

Venom
Neurotoxic. There is little known about Aspidelaps venom. It is thought to be as dangerous as the real cobra's. But it only delivers a small yield of it (somewhere between 25 and 70 mg. of wet venom). From the subspecies infuscatus are two documented deaths of children. There is not an antivenom available. Recent research by Dr.Fry (et al, 2003) has shown that it contains many similar toxins as found in some Naja species like Naja pallida. The Coral cobra must be handled with respect.

Breeding
Aspidelaps lubricus needs a hibernating period of two months at 20 degrees celcius. The female lays 3 - 11 eggs. These eggs will hatch within 60 - 70 days. The young are 14 to 18 cm long. Most of my hatchlings accepted babymice within two weeks.

Handling
If two hooks are used handling these little snakes is easy. One hook can be very frustrating because the snakes fall off the hook when it loses its balance.