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The Daily Insight

Do false water cobras make good pets?

Author

Emma Newman

Updated on March 21, 2026

False Water Cobras are a very misunderstood snake that actually make great pets!

Just so, is a false water cobra a good pet?

The false water cobra makes a unique and engaging pet. When they are small, FWCs bite more frequently. This is understandable, because in their wetland natural habitat they are food for pretty much every carnivorous mammal, bird and reptile they encounter.

Additionally, can cobras be pets? Pet Laws. Most states don't allow king cobras as pets. Even in those that do, city and county statutes often prohibit venomous snakes. In some states, such as Florida, you may legally own a king cobra if you have an annual permit.

Correspondingly, are false water cobras docile?

The False Water Cobra is a very active and inquisitive snake, which will spend much of the day climbing, burrowing and even swimming. Their temperaments can vary considerably between specimens; some are very docile and reluctant to bite, while others are very defensive and even aggressive or intimidating.

How bad is false water cobra venom?

Looks deadly but isn't too bad really!

The False Water Cobra is so named because of its similar appearance to the Water Cobra, which is a highly venomous snake. Falsies are rear-fanged snakes. If they get a good enough grip on you to chew a little, then it can envenomate you. The venom is relatively harmless.

Related Question Answers

Can false water cobras be housed together?

They will also appreciate a large water bowl in which they can bathe. It should be noted that these snakes should not be kept in pairs or cohabited as cannibalism has been noted in the species.

Can you keep false water cobras together?

Given false water cobras start off as foot-long babies and have the capacity to grow into 8-foot brutes, FWC keepers need to accept that their snakes will need multiple enclosures over their life time.

Are water snakes good pets?

For this reason, they do not make good pets. They sometimes become aggressive when approached, even if they are not touched. Water snakes often climb trees and rest on the branches above the water. If disturbed, they will drop down into the water.

How big do Egyptian false cobras get?

Egyptian false cobras (Malpolon moilensis) are a species of snakes found mostly in the Middle Eastern countries and some parts of Africa. These reptiles grow up to a length of 59.05 in (1.5 m) and are usually a shy species of snakes.

How do you take care of a cobra snake?

King cobras, especially hatchlings, require clean, fresh water on a daily basis. Adults can drink enormous quantities after feeding. Some hatchlings will irreversibly dehydrate and die if water has bits of substrate in it, or is changed infrequently.

Can you own a false water cobra in Arizona?

We are allowed to have "mild" venomous snakes, such as Mangroves and False Water Cobras, mainly as these are not seen as 'true' venomous species. We are not allowed any Elapidae, except for our native species, the Arizona Coral Snake (M. e. euryxanthus.)

How long do false water cobras get?

The average of a False Water Cobra depends on if you're dealing with a male or female. Female Water Cobras can reach lengths of eight feet! Some females might not get that long, but most are going to be somewhere between six and eight feet. On the upper end of the scale, they will weigh about 10 pounds.

Is King cobra a false cobra?

The false water cobra is so named because when the snake is threatened it "hoods" as a true cobra (Naja species) does. Unlike a true cobra, though, it does not rear up, but remains in a horizontal position.
Hydrodynastes gigas
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae

Does cobra go in water?

“Whenever a snake wanders into civilian-populated areas, we first offer it water. The Kali River, which runs through the Karwar Forest Range is flush with water and so are the backwaters located near the Kaiga Power Plant. During summer, many different birds and animals come for water including cobras,†Naykka added.

Where is the most venomous snake in the world?

The coastal taipan is found in coastal regions of Northern and Eastern Australia and the nearby island of New Guinea. It produces venom that is almost identical to that of the inland taipan – considered to be the most venomous snake in the world.

Does a Rinkhals spit?

Defensive behaviour. If distressed, the rinkhals spreads its hood, showing its distinctive, striped neck. It is a spitting cobra, and can spray its venom up to 2.5 m. Its spitting mechanism is primitive and it has to rear up and fling its body forward to spray its venom.

Are hognose snakes venomous?

Western hognose snakes belong to the colubrids, but are rear-fanged snakes, having enlarged venom glands behind the maxillae. Western hognose snakes are thought to be phlegmatic and mild captives, and thus, they rarely bite humans when threatened. Therefore, they are generally not viewed as venomous.

What countries do Cobra live in?

King cobras are endemic across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. They are also found in the southern regions of East Asia where they are not as common. The snake is endemic in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Burma, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Is there a non venomous cobra?

Oriental rat snakes are found throughout India. Although non-venomous, many people mistake oriental rat snakes (Ptyas muscosus) for cobras because they're aggressive and hiss loudly before delivering a painful bite.

How many animals does snake discovery have?

We have over 75 enclosures of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates for you to learn all about in a hands-on… More. Touch reptiles, watch them eat, enter hourly raffles for fun prizes, and more!

What's the best beginner snake?

In this article, we discuss the top 20 pet snakes that can be handled by beginners based on ease of care, cost, and temperament.
  • Western Hognose Snake.
  • Garter Snake.
  • Gopher Snake.
  • Milk Snake.
  • Rosy Boa.
  • Ball Python.
  • California King Snake.
  • Corn Snake.

Are Cobras intelligent?

The King Cobra is considered the most intelligent snake in the world because of several behaviors not seen in other snakes. One is its ability in captivity to recognize its handler from other people. They are the only snakes that build nests.

Are Cobras aggressive?

Although the king cobra is undoubtedly a very dangerous snake, it prefers to escape unless it is provoked. Despite its aggressive reputation, the king cobra is actually much more cautious than many smaller snakes. The cobra only attacks people when it is cornered, in self-defense or to protect its eggs.

Are Cobras docile?

King Cobras are shy predators that only show their presence during the mating season, a time during which they are very territorial and aggressive. King Cobras are generally docile but may be vicious when felt threatened. They are solitary in nature and can be cannibalistic if there is a scarcity of food.

Will a cobra chase you?

The snakes cannot chase humans since they are afraid of humans compared to how humans themselves are afraid of the snakes. Humans are bigger than snakes and snakes see them as a potential dangerous predator. When humans stay away of the snakes, the better the snake will like it and it is not likely to attack.

Can a person survive a cobra bite?

The bite of the Common Cobra with envenomation can be rapidly fatal (possibly as early as 60 minutes). Please read the attached Medical Management Protocol and respond appropriately. First Aid: Bandage and Immobilize the bitten limb with crepe bandages and splint as described in the Immediate First Aid section.

How much is a cobra snake?

It was just as easy to buy an adult cobra online for about $300.

Why does the cobra have a hood?

The cobra's hood is created by many elongated ribs that are capable of extending the looser skin on the neck outwards. Cobras do this whenever they are disturbed or feel that they are in danger. By doing so they can make themselves look larger than they really are and potentially unnerve a predator or foe.

What is difference between King Cobra and cobra?

What is the difference between King Cobra and Cobra? Although the both snakes are elapids, they are described under two genera. King cobra is considerably larger and heavier than cobra is. King cobra can inject much more venom than a cobra, but cobra has more concentrated venom compared to king cobra.

Can you keep false water cobras in the UK?

This species is not listed on the Dangerous Wild Animal Act 1976 schedule, meaning that there are no restrictions regarding keeping them as pets in the UK. “Caution must be taken when caring for a false water cobra, as a bite could be painful and produce localised swelling and bruising.

Can you own a false water cobra in the UK?

1) False water cobras are an unusual and specialist pet and one for the experienced snake enthusiast. 2) They are typically found in South America in Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil, however they are becoming increasingly common as pets in the UK because owners are taken with their more 'dangerous' nature.

What snakes are rear fanged?

There are two rear-fanged snakes that are actually quite common in the pet trade: Asian vine snakes (primarily Ahaetulla prasina) and Western hognose snakes (Heterodon basics).