Cape Cobra

Naja nivea

A fast, highly venomous cobra of southern Africa whose color ranges from golden yellow to almost black.

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About the Cape Cobra

Cape cobras live in dry, sandy areas of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, including the Karoo, and sometimes near towns. They average about 4 feet long and can reach about 6.5 feet. Their color ranges from golden yellow to almost black. They eat mostly rats and mice, plus lizards, other snakes, frogs, toads, and birds and eggs from nests.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Naja nivea^[1]
Size: Average about 4 feet; up to about 6.5 feet.^[1]
Diet: Mostly rodents, plus lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, birds and eggs.^[1]
Habitat: Dry sandy areas, old termite mounds and rodent burrows.^[1]
Where it lives: South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.^[1]
Babies: 8 to 20 eggs in a termite mound or burrow.^[1]
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2019).^[2]

Fun facts

Cape cobras can be yellow, brown or nearly black.^[1]
They sometimes climb trees to raid birds' nests.^[1]
Young Cape cobras have a brown band on the hood.^[1]

Vocabulary

venomous: Able to inject poison by biting or stinging.
hood: Loose skin on a cobra's neck that it spreads out when threatened.
elapid: A family of venomous snakes with fixed front fangs, such as cobras.
predator: An animal that hunts other animals for food.
least concern: A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumOmaha, Nebraska · Desert DomeSee this area on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Biodiversity Explorer, Iziko Museums of South Africa. “Naja nivea (Cape cobra, Yellow cobra).” https://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/reptiles/squamata/serpentes/elapidae/naja_nivea.htm (accessed 2026-10-02)
[2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Naja nivea (Cape Cobra).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/110168750/139749003 (accessed 2026-10-02)