Monocled cobra — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Monocled cobra — origin: Southeast Asia: eastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China and the northern Malay Peninsula. Occupies rice paddies, forest edges, grasslands, wetlands and the surroundings of dwellings..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–27 °C

Warm side29–32 °C

Basking spot31–34 °C

A horizontal thermal gradient is essential. Hot spot/thermoregulation zone at 31-34 °C on one side, cool zone at 24-27 °C. A moderate nighttime drop to 22 °C is tolerated. Use protected heat sources (radiant panel, cable or spot out of reach) controlled by a thermostat to prevent any burns.

Enclosure (adult)

150 × 75 × 60 cm

Fully enclosed terrestrial terrarium, lockable and escape-proof (padlock mandatory)

Minimum dimensions for an adult; favor a length at least equal to 2/3 of the snake. A safety airlock is recommended, with locked openings and 'venomous animal' signage. Numerous sturdy hides on each side of the thermal gradient to limit stress and escape attempts. Top opening should be avoided in favor of controlled front access.

Humidity

50–70 %

Moderate tropical humidity of 50-70%. Increase occasionally during sheds. Ensure good ventilation to prevent respiratory infections and scale rot.

Substrate

Newspaper / paper towel (recommended for hygiene and safety in venomous keeping)Aspen shavingsCypress mulchCoconut fiber

Paper or paper towel is often preferred to spot the animal immediately and to make cleaning easier and risk-free. Particulate substrates retain humidity better but make locating the snake harder. Avoid any constantly waterlogged substrate (risk of scale rot).

UVB

Optional

Not strictly necessary for this crepuscular/nocturnal species. Low UVB (UV index ~1-2, around 5-6% type) remains beneficial for metabolism and behavior; in that case provide a fully shaded area. Photoperiod of about 12 hours.

Water source

Always available

A large container of clean water, stable and weighted, allowing the snake to drink and immerse partially. Renew frequently; the species is associated with humid environments and appreciates water. Any intervention in the enclosure must be done with the animal secured.

Origin

Elapidae

Southeast Asia: eastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China and the northern Malay Peninsula. Occupies rice paddies, forest edges, grasslands, wetlands and the surroundings of dwellings.

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore — Rodents (mice and rats of appropriate size) as the staple in captivity

A voracious feeder and generally undemanding in captivity. In the wild it also eats frogs, toads and other snakes. Feed with thawed prey of appropriate size (roughly the diameter of the widest part of the body) every 7-14 days depending on age; do not overfeed (risk of obesity). Feed with long tongs, at a safe distance.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 10–30 eggs/young. Clutch usually of 10 to 30 eggs (sometimes more). The female often guards her clutch. Incubation at around 27-30 °C for about 55-75 days. Breeding a venomous elapid greatly increases the risks (numerous venomous neonates from hatching) and should be undertaken only by professionals.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (promoted by an environment that is too cold, humid or poorly ventilated)
Stomatitis (mouth rot)
Scale rot / dermatitis on a waterlogged substrate
Mites (Ophionyssus) and internal parasites, common in wild-caught specimens
Incomplete sheds (dysecdysis) and obesity from overfeeding

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 5 documented genes for Monocled cobra.

Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
Albino (T+) / Caramel tyrosinase positiveRec
Leucistic (Blue Eyed) BELRec
Granite mosaicInc.d
Sunset / Pastel red pastelDom

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Monocled cobra × Monocled cobra

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the monocled cobra.

Is the monocled cobra dangerous, and can it spit its venom?▾

Yes, it is a LETHALLY DANGEROUS VENOMOUS SPECIES, reserved exclusively for expert and legally authorized keepers, whose neurotoxic venom can cause rapid respiratory paralysis. It is not a true spitting cobra, but some highly agitated individuals can project venom over a short distance, which is why eye protection is mandatory and handling must be done exclusively at a distance, with a hook and restraint tube, with an antivenom protocol defined before any acquisition.

How large does an adult monocled cobra grow?▾

Most adults measure 120 to 150 cm in total length, with some exceptionally reaching 200 cm. The body remains slender but muscular and powerful.

What kind of enclosure and level of security are required?▾

You need a fully enclosed terrestrial terrarium, lockable and escape-proof, of at least 150 x 75 x 60 cm for an adult, with a mandatory padlock and "venomous animal" signage. A safety airlock and numerous sturdy hides on each side of the thermal gradient are recommended to limit the animal's stress and any escape attempts.

What temperature gradient should be maintained?▾

A horizontal thermal gradient is essential, with a thermoregulation zone at 31-34 °C on one side and a cool zone at 24-27 °C on the other, tolerating a moderate nighttime drop down to 22 °C. Heat sources must absolutely be shielded and controlled by a thermostat to prevent any burns.

What humidity level suits it?▾

Moderate tropical humidity of 50 to 70% is sufficient, with an occasional increase during sheds. Good ventilation remains essential to prevent respiratory infections and scale rot.

What does a monocled cobra eat in captivity?▾

It feeds on thawed rodents of an appropriate size, roughly the widest diameter of its body, offered every 7 to 14 days depending on age. It is a voracious and generally undemanding feeder, but it must not be overfed to avoid obesity; feeding is always done with long tongs, at a safe distance.

Is UVB lighting necessary for this species?▾

It is not strictly required for this mainly crepuscular and nocturnal species, but low UVB remains beneficial for its metabolism and behavior, provided a fully shaded area is available. A photoperiod of about 12 hours should be maintained.

How should the water dish be managed in its enclosure?▾

A large container of clean, stable, weighted water is needed, allowing it to drink and partially immerse itself, to be refreshed frequently. The species naturally lives near humid habitats and particularly appreciates water; any intervention in the water bowl must be done with the animal secured.

How long does a monocled cobra live?▾

Its lifespan ranges from 15 to 25 years in captivity, with some reported cases even approaching 30 years under good conditions. It is a long-term commitment to weigh carefully before any acquisition.

How does its reproduction take place?▾

Oviparous, the female typically lays 10 to 30 eggs and often actively guards them, with incubation lasting about 55 to 75 days around 27-30 °C. Breeding a venomous elapid greatly increases the risks, with numerous neonates already venomous at hatching, and remains reserved for professionals.

What health problems should be monitored in this species?▾

Respiratory infections, encouraged by an environment that is too cold, humid or poorly ventilated, and stomatitis are among the most frequent disorders. These are joined by scale rot on waterlogged substrate, mites and internal parasites especially in wild specimens, as well as incomplete sheds and obesity linked to overfeeding.

Where does the monocled cobra come from, and what habitats does it live in?▾

It is native to Southeast Asia, from eastern India to southern China by way of Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, where it frequents rice paddies, forest edges, grasslands and wetlands, sometimes near dwellings. Defensive, it spreads a characteristic hood and strikes quickly as soon as it feels threatened.

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