Egyptian false cobra care is for experienced snake keepers only. The false cobra, also called the Moila snake or hooded malpolon (Malpolon moilensis, often listed as Rhagerhis moilensis), is a desert snake from North Africa, including Egypt and Sinai, and the Middle East. It is not a cobra: it is rear-fanged and mildly venomous, but when threatened it raises its head, flattens its neck into a hood and hisses, just like one. This guide covers identification, housing, heat, feeding and safe handling.
Name note: many recent authors place this snake in its own genus, Rhagerhis, where it is the only species. The Reptile Database follows a 2016 phylogeny and lists it as Malpolon moilensis. Both names refer to the same animal. “Moila” comes from Moilah (Al Muwaylih) in Saudi Arabia, where the species was first described in 1834.
False Cobra (Malpolon moilensis) at a Glance
- Scientific name: Malpolon moilensis (syn. Rhagerhis moilensis), family Psammophiidae
- Common names: false cobra, Egyptian false cobra, Moila snake, hooded malpolon
- Native range: from Morocco and Mauritania across the Sahara to Egypt (including Sinai) and Sudan, and through the Middle East from Jordan and the Arabian Peninsula to Iraq and south-west Iran
- Adult size: usually about 80–140 cm; exceptional animals approach 190 cm
- Venom: rear-fanged and mildly venomous; bites can be painful with swelling, and the venom is poorly studied
- Reproduction: egg-laying
- Conservation: IUCN Least Concern; not listed in CITES
How to Identify a False Cobra
The false cobra is a sandy, straw-coloured snake with darker brownish blotches along the body and a pale cream belly. It has large, round eyes. Its most useful field mark is a pair of large dark spots on the sides of the neck, which show clearly when it spreads its hood. Unusually long neck ribs let it flatten the neck into a cobra-like hood, so it is often mistaken for the dangerously venomous Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) and killed out of fear. If you are not sure which snake you are looking at, treat it as dangerous and keep your distance.
Is the False Cobra a Good Pet?
Not for beginners. Many individuals are defensive: they hood, hiss and strike readily, and some never become calm to handle. It suits keepers who enjoy an active, display-type desert snake and who are comfortable working with hooks. Because it is rear-fanged, some countries and US states regulate it in the same way as other venomous snakes, so check your local law before buying.
Enclosure Size and Setup
- Minimum size: about 120 × 60 × 60 cm for an adult; larger is better, as these snakes use all the space they are given
- Security: a fully locking enclosure with no gaps
- Substrate: a sand and soil mix, deep enough to dig in, with flat rocks
- Hides: at least one on the warm side and one on the cool side
- Water: a stable bowl of fresh water; keep the rest of the enclosure dry
For a step-by-step desert setup, see our desert reptile terrarium guide.
Temperature and Lighting
These ranges are general guidance used by keepers of North African desert snakes; watch your animal’s behaviour and adjust.
- Basking spot: about 33–35 °C
- Warm side air: about 28–32 °C
- Cool side: about 24–27 °C
- Night: heat off or reduced, with a normal room-temperature drop
- UVB: low-level UVB with plenty of shade is a sensible addition
Diet and Feeding
In the wild the false cobra mainly eats rodents and lizards. In captivity, feed appropriately sized frozen-thawed rodents, using tongs. A common routine is every 5–7 days for juveniles and every 7–10 days for adults, with the prey no wider than the snake’s body. Do not feed or handle the snake while it is preparing to shed, when its eyes turn cloudy and bluish.
Safe Handling
- Use a snake hook and keep handling to what is necessary
- Never free-handle a hooding, defensive animal
- If bitten, wash the area, remove rings or tight items near the bite and seek medical advice, mentioning a rear-fanged snake
- Keep the enclosure locked and away from children and pets
Legal Status and Buying
Malpolon moilensis is not listed in CITES and is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Exports from Egypt still need official permits and veterinary paperwork, and your own country’s rules on rear-fanged snakes apply. Browse our snakes, compare it with the Schokari sand racer, see the full reptiles of Egypt list, read the venomous vs non-venomous snakes guide, or contact us by email to ask about availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the false cobra a real cobra?
No. True cobras such as Naja haje are front-fanged elapids. The false cobra belongs to a different family, Psammophiidae, and only copies a cobra’s hooding display.
Is the false cobra venomous?
Yes, mildly. It is rear-fanged and its bite can be painful with swelling. It is not considered a serious threat to humans, but its venom is poorly studied, so bites should always be avoided.
What is the scientific name of the false cobra?
It is Malpolon moilensis, also widely published as Rhagerhis moilensis. Older names include Coluber moilensis and Scutophis moilensis.
