Cape Coral Snake

About the Cape Coral Snake

Aspidelaps lubricus, commonly known as the Cape coral snake, Cape coral cobra or coral shield cobra, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to southern Africa. Aspidelaps lubricus is found in regions of the Karoo, former Cape Province, and northward into Namibia. It mostly inhabits very arid regions, like deserts and rocky/sandy ecosystems. These areas within South Africa within the Karoo are known for low predictable rainfall and little vegetation, mostly shrubs and scrubs.

The subspecific name, cowlesi, is in honor of African-born American herpetologist Raymond Bridgman Cowles. Aspidelaps lubricus is a relatively small, slender bodied snake, around 1.6–2.0 ft (49–61 cm) in total length (tail included), with some growing up to 2.5 ft (76 cm) in some cases. The Cape coral snake is a small elapid, which means that it is a part of a family of venomous snakes that are usually found within tropical or sub-tropical regions around the globe. It has an enlarged rostral scale, which is the scale located at the front of the snout above the mouth opening on the snake. The... Wikipedia →