It is actually hard to say what they are. According to Wuster, et al. the Formosan Cobra is atra, just a lighter phase that occurs off the mainland. There are also naja X kaouthia intergrades that further convolute the debate. Certainly kaouthia, atra, and naja will all readily breed together in captivity mixing up the gene pool( which I personally do not support, but that's a whole different story).Also many dark Monocles have abberant hood markings and vice versa Chinese that have more uniform hood patterns. A lot of "labels" are placed on morphs such as "sunglow Monocle" or "sunset Monocle" but they are all basically the same snake that have been selectively bred to achieve the desired trait/color. Asian cobras are some of the most common, but understudied group of snakes and their scientific nomenclature is still changing and under debate. Only a blood DNA test can positively confirm which subspecies a given animal is, but I support Wuster as the authority on Asian cobra systematics and he has confirmed Formosa's as atra. As one recalls, Black Pakistan's were once classified as karachiensis and Suphans suphanensis. We now know that Black Pacs are naja and Suphans kaouthia, so you can see how easily classifications could change however. I am not sure if a DNA test has been performed on the "sunset/sunglow" Monocles but that could possibly lead to an answer. I hope I haven't just confused matters further and I don't profess to be an expert on the subject.
Drew.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]