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I've got a snouted cobra that smells like maple syrup! I swear! Others who've smelled him say the same thing - it's really odd. I've certainly had other snakes that had a peculiar smell to them, but nothing quite like this. Anyone else out there own or been around a snouted cobra? Did it have a similar smell? Thanks. Tim

np

I'm fighting the sudden urge to go and sniff all my elapids...

I'm fighting off the urge to go to the Waffle House!

The ones I has several years ago did as well. So do Aspidelaps!!!

I appreciate the serious response, Atrox788. I really am curious about the peculiar and distinct smell. It's interesting to note that its not just this snake. Thanks. Tim

Oh No not the waffle house...I have spent countless hours after herping in that place!!!Although they do have good pork chops and eggs.

if it's a defense mechanism or maybe a pheromone that is being secreted for mating?

Maybe you should drop a mate in and find out. It would be a good tidbit if they instantly copulate, this way maybe others would know when the right time to breed them would be.

I think many of us have had snakes give off a putrid smell when disturbed, but nothing like what you are describing.

We caught a boa constrictor in Costa Rica in the spring, and let me tell ya, I WISH it smelled like syrup.

He's had this smell for as long as we've known him (over a year). I'd agree with your assumption about defense or mating, except for the length of time we've had him (so not mating related) and he's the most mellow cobra I've ever been around (so not defense related). He eats the same rats that every other snake around here eats, so his food is no different either. Very curious.

I haven't (yet) noticed that smell coming off my Najas, Hemachatus, or Aspidelaps. However, when I kept Dispholidus, they would really stink up the room! Okay, so maybe stink isn't exactly the right word, but the very, very strong smell of licorice (maybe a hint of maple syrup?) filled the room. The smell was always the strongest after a shed. I didn't notice the smell with juveniles, only mature adults. My sample size was pretty low so take these comments with a grain or two of salt, but it's interesting to think about at any rate.

The only common denominator I've noticed with my Najas is their feces - yeah it's kind of gross, but they all have a very particular smell to their feces. All my snakes eat f/t rats and mice, and the cobra crap smells different from any of my other snakes. When they go, I automatically know it wasn't a python or boa.
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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com

I just went into the snake room to try and see if I could make out a licorice component to the smell. I can't. It really is maple-like.

I agree about the smell of cobra feces - has a distinct and strong odor, in my experience.

We have a mamba at the zoo that I call Mr.Buttersworth.

Smells just like maple syrup..........

We used to have a trio of Black neck spitting cobras that smelled like maple syrup when they would deficate. We could always tell when they were in need of cleaning by just walking in the room. I always thought it was just us.