Reptile & Amphibian Forums

getting my first monoculate cobra in 3 days.it's just 1 1/2' long.my experiance with keeping snake are with;
-wagler pit viper-venom,unprevoke attack
-mangrove-venom,agresift,fast
-amazon tree boa-very fast and agresift
-green tree python-very fast and agresift,can't predict movement

been keeping them for quite some time and had never been bitten.do you think i had enough experiance to start with a cobra?just wondering if a cobra can climb a vertical wall as high as he is long?

if i start with a small cobra,will it grow tame with time?

thanks
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1.3.2 indian star tortoise
0.0.2 radiated tortoise
0.1.0 burmese star tortoise
0.0.1 sulcata
0.0.1 elongated tortoise
0.0.1 leopard tortoise
0.1.0 red foot tortoise
0.1.0 pancake tortoise

0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.0.2 alligator snapping turtle
0.0.1 chitra-chitra
1.0.0 asian giant pond turtle

0.0.2 leopard gecko

0.0.1 amazon tree boa
0.0.1 green tree python
1.0.0 blood python
1.0.0 wagler's pit-viper

0.0.1 cuvier dwarf caiman

0.1.0 cobalt blue tarantula

0.0.2 arapaima gigas

5.2.0 cat's

You are the only one who truly knows if you are ready for a cobra. My monocles can push themselves their entire length up the side of the glass if they want to. Make sure that your enclosure is completely escape proof and locked. Elapids are great escape artists. My monocles have only gotten more pissy with age. Several of my cobras have gotten more ballsy proportionately to their size. My monocles are not as tricky as my melanoleuca but they can still pull off some crazy maneuvers when they get the notion. They are pretty laid back as far as cobras go though.

Remember, monocles are a VERY toxic species and one nip can be LETHAL. If you don't feel like you are ready for them then don't take the chance.

Beautiful animal for something so ugly. I almost got one once, mainly because it was cheap, but opted out because it's such a huge long-term responsibility. Anyways, how big is it? What size tank? I'd love to see a pic, their pretty scarce in the hobby for obvious reasons.

Cam Hanna
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"I'm tired of being a wannabe bowler! I wanna be a bowler!!"
-- Homer Simpson

Wow, I'm glad I don't have to pay your water bill!
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

I can honestly say as far as most of my snakes go, my Monocles are extremely variable when it comes to their attitude. I have 6 of them, and my largest female is a doll, and my 3 younger ones are unpredictable in temperment. However, my 2 albinos are in a word SATANIC. I believe the male is trying to figure out a way to kill me. It hard to describe what it is that he is doing, but believe me when I say he is very smart. The female is not that far behind. I would not say they are as bright as my King Cobras, and although not as quick as the Forest Cobras, they move with lightning speed. My Black Neck Spitters are very quick, but never spit anymore or hood as much. Be very careful if you do choose to keep your Monocle long term. As they get older they get smarter. Also, if you do survive the bite from one should you have the pleasure of receiving one, the skin necrosis will be unreal. Imagine what acid on your skin does, and multiply it by 10. It can also cause some very long term problems such as infections and nerve damage well after you thought you were healing. Its one of the many reasons that extreme caution should be taken when keeping these guys. They have become cheaper in price and more available, and sometimes very inexperienced people get them. Good luck, and be carefull.
Chris

thanks for all reply guys.i have receive my baby cobra yesterday.even though he's just under 2 feet,he's a little devil!i don't know if that's just his atitude or he's like that because he's about to shed(eye is allready very white) because he just hist and strike at any movement within 3 metre.any idea?

and is the gentle giant tongs any good with cobra,even with small snake?
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1.3.2 indian star tortoise
0.0.2 radiated tortoise
0.1.0 burmese star tortoise
0.0.1 sulcata
0.0.1 elongated tortoise
0.0.1 leopard tortoise
0.1.0 red foot tortoise
0.1.0 pancake tortoise

0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.0.2 alligator snapping turtle
0.0.1 chitra-chitra
1.0.0 asian giant pond turtle

0.0.2 leopard gecko

0.0.1 amazon tree boa
0.0.1 green tree python
1.0.0 blood python
1.0.0 wagler's pit-viper

0.0.1 cuvier dwarf caiman

0.1.0 cobalt blue tarantula

0.0.2 arapaima gigas

5.2.0 cat's

No offense, and I do not keep cobras at this time, so i can't answer a lot of your questions, but something tells me you should have asked all these questions BEFORE you ordered your cobra...be safe.

psilo, you hit the nail on the head.
As with the guy who is asking about using perfume and body armour for protection against the green anaconda he has just bought, finding out whether there are any tips on how to heep naja is something you should do BEFORE you buy a potentially lethal snake.
Wewantpeace, I hope your luck isn't as bad as your spelling...