Have you given any consideration to the possibility that the snake may be gravid? She could be looking for a ovaposition site. I'd try a plastic sweater box with dampened sphagnum or peat moss inside with a hole cut in the top to see if that is appealing to her.



I kept all my cobras as if they were burmese pythons as far as temperature and humidity. Having never kept Chinese cobras, I had to do a geographic search in order to extrapolate what kids of temperatures and such that would be optimum, and I have to say that I am doubtful that she's too warm at the temperatures you describe. Cobras tend to like to roam a bit more than your run of the mill viper, so she just may have the urge to move more than you're used to... an adult cobra in a 3' cage will not have a lot of space to roam, and she might be feeling a little claustrophobia, particularly if she is a recent import. I don't know that to be the case....



One last thing before I sum up my thoughts... what has been housed in the enclosure previous to this snake? I made the mistake of putting a rattlesnake in a cage that had previously housed an Eastern Kingsnake, and the reaction to the residual scent was something to behold.... Something to think about....



So, my gut tells me to recommend the following:

1) Have a good look at her and assess the possibility that she's gravid and make adjustments to the cage furnishings as appropriate.

2) Put the heat tape back under at least one end of the cage... snakes need belly heat (most of them) and that could be one reason she isn't eating... not enough heat to digest her food.

3) Add some "stuff" to the enclosure (I'm not sure what substrate you're using) and think about aspen about 3" deep for her to bury herself if she isn't comfortable with the existing hide box. I like to give cobras a lot of places to "hunt" and hide... also consider some elevated spaces.. she might be a climber.

4) Consider a larger space for her... like an enclosure 1 1/2 times her body length and at least 3/4 her body length in width. More room may allow her to get comfortable enough to stop trying to get out.



There is nothing wrong with experimenting with the set up, as no two snakes of a given species will react to the same set of circumstances in the same way (exactly), or at least that is the sum of my keeping experience... Keeping snakes is sort of like raising children... some are kind of like painting by the numbers and some are much more challenging that their conspecifics. I'd change one thing at a time, so when you do find the right combination for that particular animal, you'll know what the right combination of size, temperature, furnishings and feeding schedule are for her...



Best of luck with her. They're incredible looking snakes. It would be nice if you are able to breed them, if that's your goal.



Tom Townsend
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"Seek first to understand, then to be understood"

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