Cape cobra:
Cape cobra is the snake of medium size which is highly venomous. It has a hood which is broad. The shade of cape cobra is yellow, brown or black. It hunts frogs, rodents, lizards, birds and even other snakes. The venom of cape cobra is most powerful. It hunts in a day.
Puff adder:
Puff adder is a venomous snake with rough scale. Its diet includes small mammals, birds, insects, lizards, frogs and toads. Its venom is highly toxic. It moves slowly. The head of puff adder is triangular in shape. It is highly aggressive.
Differences:
| Basis | Cape cobra | Puff adder |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The Cape cobra (Naja nivea), also called the yellow cobra is a medium sized, highly venomous cobra inhabiting a wide variety of biomes across southern Africa including arid savanna, fynbos, bushveld, desert and semi-desert regions. | A large, sluggish, mainly nocturnal African viper which inflates the upper part of its body and hisses loudly when under threat. (www.oxforddictionaries.com) |
| Type | Cape cobra is an elapid cobra. | Puff adder is a viper. |
| Color | Cape cobra is plain yellow in colour without scale patterns. | Puff adder is blackish to greyish-brown with dark and white streak patterns all along the body. |
| Word origin | Naja nivea was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The generic name naja is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word nāgá meaning “cobra”. The specific epithet nivea is derived from the Latin words either nix or nivis meaning “snow” or niveus meaning “snowy”.The connection with snow is obscure, but might have been suggested by discolouration of the first preserved specimens received by taxonomists in Europe. | The word puff adder was originated in between 1780-90. |
| Size | Cape cobra is an average size snake. | Puff adder is a thick and heavy bodied snake |
| Active | Cape cobra is active during daytime | Puff adder is active at dusk. |
| Venom | Cape cobra venom is neurotoxic, and affects the respiratory system of the victim. | Puff adder venom is cytotoxic, and affects the cardiovascular system of the victim. |
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