Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Doug's right, it's been slow here. I don't recall ever posting these photos before, I took them back in the summer of 2004 just off the island of Chep Lap Kok in Hong Kong. I know of two Cobras that are found in Hong Kong and this doesn't look to me like either one of them (Chinese cobra, Naja naja atra, and the King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah). Any takers?

This was back before my digital camera so sorry, that's the best I have

Hmmm,....As you said, it certainly doesn't look to be either of the two from the immediate vacinity,...it sort of looks like maybe an aberrant-hooded "monacled",or "spectacled".

very unique in any case!,.....thanks for sharing those cool pics.

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

You can scratch Ophiophagus off the list. Not even close.

The thick black border around the markin on the back make me think kaouthia, but the markings on the front of the hood look pretty close to atra. Of course, it's obviously abberant, so who knows... Maybe a kaouthia/atra hybrid even?
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

well Chep Lap Kok used to be four islands but now it's a single airport with an undeveloped corner. It's conceivable that it escaped from some sort of shipment but I doubt it. To be honest, it was thought that the island no longer supported any snakes but there were also some Typhlops

That's pretty much my thought as well,....and like you said,.......Ophiophagus is definitely "OUT-A-THERE"!

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

I believe its an abberrant atra. Many years ago I imported some from Hong Kong that had strange similar hood markings....TC

Tom,.......That's a VERY strong possibility , as you can see a small remnant of the pattern on the hood that is typical of "atra". Also, I've seen some pics of atra that didn't have much in the way of discernable bands, as the one pictured also displays.

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

The cobra in question is positively Naja kaouthia. It is an abberrant form of kaouthia. In the hobby it is known as the Formosa phase. However it is not a true Formosa or a cross. I know this because it was also the first cobra I ever owned. I also know someone who breeds them. True Formasa are actually spitters. This abberrant form of kaouthia is not a spitter. They also get larger than the true Formosa. Mine was the most aggressive snake I ever owned. He would charge me hissing and biting at mid air. He would even try and chase me sometimes. Needless to say I did not keep him in the collection too long. Cheers Greg