It is largely found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Unlike the Egyptian Cobra, this species prefers localities near water, to which it will readily take when disturbed.

[5] A polyvalent antivenom is currently being developed by the Universidad de Costa Rica's Instituto Clodomiro Picado.

[6] The cobra's diet mainly consists of amphibians, other snakes, birds, eggs, small mammals, and occasionally even insects.

When confronted at close quarters, it can rear up as much as two-thirds of its length and spread its long narrow hood, and will readily spit in defense, usually from a reared-up position.