Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi

I am looking to find out witch is the the smallest of all the cobras

Thanks Tim

I'm pretty sure the smallest species of true cobra (in the Naja genus) is the red spitting cobra, Naja pallida. My source says they usually reach lengths of 24-30." There are other "cobras" that are generally smaller than red spitters, such as those in the Aspidelaps genus (coral cobras and shield-nosed cobras), but these aren't true cobras. That's not to say, however, that red spitters never get above 30", as I've personally seen some that were at least 3', possibly more. Hope this helped. Oh, and the source I cited is Reptiles and Amphibians, written by Mark O'Shea and Tim Halliday. It's one of the Dorling Kingersley Handbooks and I highly recommend it due to the excellent pictures, species covered, and great information.

Thank you very much

Tim

:I'm pretty sure the smallest species of true cobra (in the Naja genus) is the red spitting cobra, Naja pallida. My source says they usually reach lengths of 24-30."

Actually, Naja pallida averages at about 36-48" as adults, and larger specimens (as well as smaller ones) certainly do occur. I currently have a ~60" adult male in my collection, and know of specimens that have achieved lengths of 72" and possibly more.

Naja katiensis is more likely to be a leading candidate for the title of the smallest species contained within the genus Naja. Adults reportedly average 50 to 80cm [~20-32"] length, with Spawls and Branch (1995) listing the maximum size as 100cm [~39"] and an unsubstantiated report of a single 140cm [~55"] specimen.

Regards,

~TE

Not sure if it is the smallest but it sure is damn small and the contestant is ......... the *Coral Cobra*

It continues to irritate me that this snake is referred to as a cobra. It is a coral snake, not a cobra. Its closect bond to the cobra family, is that is an elapid.