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
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 ↗
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)
Facts last checked 2026-10-02.
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