Its name, “Rinkhals,” comes from Afrikaans, meaning “ring-neck,” and refers to the light-colored bands often visible across its throat. At first glance, it resembles other cobras with its ability to spread a hood when threatened, but it has several unique traits that make it stand out in the snake world.

One of the Rinkhals’ most famous abilities is its defense strategy. Like some cobras, it can spit venom, aiming with remarkable accuracy at the eyes of a predator or threat. This can cause intense pain and temporary blindness, giving the snake a chance to escape. What makes the Rinkhals even more unusual, though, is its dramatic death-feigning behavior. When heavily disturbed, it may roll onto its back, open its mouth, and even let its tongue hang out as if it were dead—an Oscar-worthy performance that often convinces predators to lose interest.

The Rinkhals is also different from most cobras in its habitat and lifestyle. While many cobras are tied closely to warm, dry environments, the Rinkhals often prefers cooler, wetter grasslands and marshy areas of South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho. It’s also one of the few cobra-like snakes that gives birth to live young instead of laying eggs.

And of course, there are the fun and quirky details that make this snake unforgettable. Rinkhals are excellent actors—not only can they play dead, but they can also rear up and spread their hoods dramatically, giving the impression of being larger and more dangerous than they really are. They are also skilled hunters, feeding mostly on frogs and toads, but happily eating small mammals too. While their venom is dangerous, they are generally shy and prefer to avoid people, making their theatrical defenses more about bluff than bite.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Eswatini

2024

Lesotho

2024

South Africa

2024