| Shield-nosed cobra | |
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Aspidelaps |
| Species: | A. scutatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Aspidelaps scutatus (Smith, 1849) | |
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range ofA. lubricus range ofA. scutatus | |
Theshield-nosed cobra (Aspidelaps scutatus), oreastern shield-nose snake, is avenomoussnake of the familyElapidae.[2]
The shield-nosed cobra is mainly found inBotswana,Eswatini,Lesotho,Malawi,Mozambique,Namibia,South Africa,Zambia andZimbabwe. They can survive between 20 and 28 years in captivity, though this age is normally not attained in the wild due to predation, accidents, etc. This species of snake is highly venomous, and has been attributed to at least one reported death of a human, despite its propensity to bite being somewhat low. The venom is highlyneurotoxic, and no knownantivenin is currently available for this species. Any bite orspit-sprayed venom from anyelapid snake should be treated as an urgent medical emergency.
This snake isfossorial. A specialized skull structure, along with the uniquely largerostral scale, make it very effective at digging and tunneling.
