Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was thinking about getting my first cobra but I wanted to see if anyone had any advice on care, diseases, feeding, housing, or maybe what type of cobra would be a "first" cobra? I have roughly 15 years experience with a variety of hots including copperheads, rattlesnakes, bush vipers, cantils, cottonmouths, and various other vipers have passed through my possession. I have always been fascinated by cobras and look forward to a new learning experience. Thanks

i think a 2 foot naja naja would be perfect.

easy to keep, easy to deal with, fairly bulletproof once past the first 6 months, are fairly forgiving care wise, and not the most likely to roy off digits should an accident happen.

plus, way nicer than most other easy to come by cobras.

Any of the asian cobra species other than the spitters would be a good first. They do like a lot of humidity and temps in day around 82-85 F. Around 70-75F at night. Some are hard to feed when babies, but once you get them going they are hogs.

Justin

Personally, I think Snouted Cobras would make a great first cobra. My experience is that they are way more relaxed than the Asiatic cobras as babies and as adults they're like big puppies; mine are anyways. They can reach pretty impressive sizes but if you raise it from when it is young you shouldn't have a problem. I'm sure some may disagree with the next one, mainly because of how hot the venom is, but Ringed Water Cobras are another cobra that I think would be a good first cobra. They have a very good temperament for a good first cobra. Of course you never become complacent with any of them, but I think those two would be good first cobras.

As far as care goes, cobras are one of the easiest snakes to keep as long as your temps are correct. If you are asking which would be a good first cobra as far as docility, I have found CB snouteds and capes to be very calm. Maybe even too calm if you are looking for a cobra that will display his hood. My adult snouteds won't hood to save thier lives and the capes will rarely hood. The younger capes still display but once they get some size, they tend to calm down quite a bit. If you are asking what would be a first good cobra for the reasons most of us like cobras (hooding, personality, ease of care, plus easy availabilty) you can't go wrong with the monocles. All my adult monocles remain huffers and puffers. The transition from pits to elapids is a big one though, as I'm sure you are aware of. Hopefully you would have at the very least observed thier behaviour /care and have worked with them first hand with an experienced keeper prior to obtaining your own. Good luck on your new adventure. They are great snakes and very rewarding to keep.