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Malpolon moilensis
As the name suggests, this species mimics the cobra in behaviour by spreading the neck into a hood and hissing like a cobra. This is a slender snake with reddish, round eyes and black marks along the body. The black blotch on the cheek is a distinguishing feature. Intermediately venomous and has backward facing fangs.
Found across North Africa and in the Middle East.
Can one of the PN herp experts explain the peculiar behaviour in the first image? This was how the snake was positioned when I spotted it and I also spotted another individual doing the same behaviour - also in a small bush.
Spotted on Mar 24, 2013
Submitted on Mar 26, 2013
5 Comments
Hi Neil, thanks for getting back on this one! :) I only saw tongue-flicking when I got close to them, before that at least none that I could detect. But there was no hood display at any point.
Hi Elsa! Nice spotting you have here! The snake in the 1st photo looks like it is on the lookout for a predator, or perhaps a mate. If it were threatened in any way, it would spread out the false hood in a defensive display. Did you notice if the ones you saw doing this behavior were tongue-flicking a lot?
Thank you Sachin :)
Excellent captures,
Any herp experts care to share their opinion on this behaviour? Is it sunbathing, hunting or keeping an eye out for predators?