Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
The animal pictured above(male 03) is part of a trio I picked up from the last Hamburg as Naja annulifera annulifera. My question is , how can one distiguish baby N.a.annulifera from N.a.anchitae or even typical Naja haje? From what I have found researching, all can look identicle as neonates and only when they grow up do they show their ture colors. Are there any scales counts avalible for an impatient mind who doesnt want to wait untill they grow up? As you can see in the pic, the male pictured is starting to darking up on his head and hood so I am hopeing he is faintly getting in his bannding in. However, there is a pic out in cyber world which shows an Naja annulifera anchitae with a blackish head as well, yet haveing a bl;and, uniform base color on the rest of its body. Im basicly trying to figure out what I have. I sill lean twords the N.a.annulifera but I have been wrong before!

Also, can anyone share ditrubution ranges of this sp and the ssp anchitae? Little to nothing is writen on these newly classified serpents and I need the 411.

Welp, thanks to all who can klend a hand.

All the best,
Jeremy

Here are the links...
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UgDTAhMasU*pf8jZOvuekw*vgkjlpSo719bMT4J1IBAvYIPVQ3GQDx6FIcF4aaPbJ36KZuhS!Av8*gyBQKaUG84QrRnnJJQaCEbLTt45V5ULEv7nLKfnq7qs6mo1ZYg0/banded eygpt1.jpg?dc=4675430393284123994

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VQDTApsaeoTpf8jZOvuekw*vgkjlpSo7N7caXcDkhVMyHmSIIncXkfbBnrl1rSCfW29sMSJNyPUn2y8EBz1TfZ7*T*s6zUPWrvYrdTxNF11I5pRXgCwuHJ7i5JuAfSlL/banded eygpt 2.jpg?dc=4675430393238263287

Sorry the links are so long. Just click and paste them. For some reason I can not post pics the way I once did (useing the good ol

It also seems that the forum keeps cutting out part of my message. Any of you have this prob?

Thanks,
Jeremy G

Jeremy,

Distribution as follows:

Naja annulifera anchietae: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Naja annulifera annulifera: Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Derek K.

Jeremy,

N.a. annulifera normally has 19 scale rows at midbody and 19-21 around the neck, N.a. anchietae normally has 17 rows at midbody and 15-17 around the hood.

Cheers,

Wolfgang
-----
WW

WW Home

Wolfgang,

Since the species' common names are: Snouted/Banded/Egyptian Banded Cobra, (the latter a Mis-nomem because neither occur in Egypt), can both N. a. annulifera and N. a. anchietae be snouted and banded African Cobras? Like Jeremy, I don't recall seeing any depictions of a "banded" N. a. anchietae.

Comments Please:

Cheers,

Derek K.

Derek,

N. a. anchietae can be banded. This form has often been referred to as Anchieta's cobra, which I suppose makes an appropriate common name to distinguish it from N. a. annulifera. Personally, I would call N. a. annulifera a snouted cobra and N. a. anchietae Anchieta's cobra. Eastern and western snouted cobra would other good terms for N.a. annulifera and N.a. anchietae, I suppose.

Fact is, since the revision of the N. haje group by Broadley (1995), this has not really been settled in the literature as far as I can make out. Since there is more revision to come, there doesn't seem too much point in spending much time on the question. Stick to scientific names, you know it makes sense!

Cheers,

Wolfgang
-----
WW

WW Home

Wolfgang,

Appreciate the clarification! I will be looking forward to this particular taxonomic revision and of course others such as O. hannah.

Thanks again.

Cheers,

Derek

Ill get the scale counts this weekend and let you know. I still belive them to be annulifera but still would like to be sure.

Hey WW, regarding the banded N.a.anchietae, would they resemble N.a.annulifera's banded form or do they look different? Smaller bands, less defined, different base color? I wonder how many people out there really have anchietae that they belive to be annulifera. Hmmm?

Again guys, thanks for your help!

Hey Derek, you going to make any of the up and coming shows? Ill be at Columbia and Daytona. I know you usualyt only make the burg but if its posible I highly recomend you shoot for the above mentioned expos!! They are really good and alot more forums folks tend to make them.

Take care guys,
Jeremy

P.S Anyone up for giveing me a picture posting tutorial?????

Not likely I'll make Daytona or Columbia, heck I can't even make Hamburg anymore,(only an hour drive), what's up with that?

One thing I simply must do,(this year,preferably before winter), is to get my arse down to your place in Virginia. I consider it imperative (!) that I return the book loner, (should have returned it long ago!).

Additionally, I "W A N T" & "M U S T" observe your every growing collection! With all the new Naja you have acquired, I wouldn't be suprised that Dendros will be next on you list.

Let me know what yours thoughts are with regard to this possiblity via Email. Ferdelance_1@hotmail.com or Dispholidustypus@earthlink.net.

All the best:

Derek