Tony Phelps / Cape cobra (Naja nivea) spreading its hood, retreats into hole, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, January.

Tony Phelps / Cape cobra (Naja nivea) emerging from a Cape gerbil (Gerbilliscus afra) burrow, hunting and smelling with its tongue, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, January.

Tony Phelps / Cape cobra (Naja nivea) hunting, chasing a Cape gerbil (Gerbilliscus afra), De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, December.

Ann & Steve Toon / Cape cobra (Naja nivea) followed by pale chanting goshawk (Melierax canorus), Kgalagadi transfrontier park, South Africa.

Tony Phelps / Cape cobra (Naja nivea) yawning, emerging from a burrow, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, May.

Tony Phelps / Two Cape cobras (Naja nivea) courting, with hoods spread, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, October.

Tony Phelps / Two male Cape cobras (Naja nivea) interacting, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, October.

Tony Phelps / Cape cobra (Naja nivea) entering a Cape gerbil (Gerbilliscus afra) burrow, hunting, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, October.

Tony Phelps / Two male Cape cobras (Naja nivea) competing for basking space De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, September.

Tony Phelps / Cape cobra (Naja nivea) entering a hole in a wall, seen from inside, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, October.

Jen Guyton / Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) mobbing a Cape cobra (Naja nivea) that had come too close to their burrow in the Kalahari Desert, South Africa.

Jen Guyton / Bright yellow Cape cobra (Naja nivea) hunting amongst nests of Sociable weaver birds (Philetairus socius) Kalahari Desert, South Africa.