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.

Tony Phelps / Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) female snake emerging from burrow. The snake often lives in abandoned mammal nests. deHoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa.

Tony Phelps / Male Cape cobra snake (Naja nivea) dark speckled variety, De Hoop Nature reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Tony Phelps / Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) juvenile defensive hooding, Little Karoo, South Africa

Michael & Patricia Fogden / Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) speckled morph, in defensive display, showcasing hood threat, Africa

Mary McDonald / Cape cobra (Naja nivea) hood raised - captive NHU Programme Publicity Dragons Alive (Feb 04)

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.