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Welcome Johan J. Marais - good to have you here

Can anyone help me with an ID of this gorgeous cobra? Seen crossing the H1-8 just before the T-junction with the tar road to Parfuri border post on 19 April 2012.

Arks, lovely picture.

I am no expert, but I did wonder if it could be a snouted Cobra. I would be keen to see what the experts say.

For those who are interested, there is a lovely article on the 10 most venemous species of snake in South Africa in the current "GO" (WEG for the Afrikans speakers) magazine. I bought a copy of the magazine for easy reference, but it is currently at work . The snouted cobra feautured as one of the mosr venemous.

Thanks, MM. Hope the experts can confirm ...

Looks like a Mozi - Mfezi. Mozambique Spitting Cobra. I'm no expert, So probably wrong.

Thanks, noel. So still awaiting those experts ....

Hi Arks
I consulted my copy of Johan Marais book "A guide to snakes of Southern Africa" and my guess will also be Mozambique spitting cobra, but I could be wrong.

But what a fantastic sighting! Very fortunate.
Best regards
Bennie

Thanks, Bennie. I've seen very few snakes in KNP, so it was indeed a very special sighting!

Very nice photos Arks ...did you see the front of the snake(belly)?

Looking at the scale pattern on the head, I would say it's a snouted cobra.

Thanks, Vinkie! Unfortunately these are the only view that I had of the cobra.

@Siobain: Many thanks! You sound very confident that it's a snouted cobra. I'd also read about the scale pattern on the head in my small and limited reptile book, so was leaning towards that ID.

Arks
Just to confuse the issue I go for the Mozambique spitting cobra

My reason for this is the pink colour under the chin and in Graham Alexander and Johan Marais Guide to Reptiles of Southern Africa it states : -
"The underside of the hood is typically salmon pink with black bars"[i][/i] when talking about the Mozambique spitting cobra

Thanks, PS, getting more interesting as the 'debate' between snouted and mfezi continues ...

The snouted cobra has subocular (small scales surrounding the front of the eyes) and postocular (small scales behind the eyes). These scales can clearly be seen in this photo. The older the snake the darker they become.
In my reference book "A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE SNAKES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA" by Johan Marais there is a photo that is almost a replica of the snake shown here.


The mozambique spitting cobra very rarely has subocular scales, rather, in front of the eye are upper labials, the scales that also run across the upper lip of the snake.

So I am still confident this snake is a snouted cobra.

Thanks for all the interesting details about the snouted cobra, Siobain. It sure sounds to me like you're spot on! All I know is that I was very lucky to see this stunning snake!