Cover‐seeking behavior in red spitting cobras ( Naja mossambica pallida ): Effects of tactile cues and darkness

Eleven red spitting cobras, Naja mossambica pallida , used clear Plexiglas hiding boxes as frequently as they used dark ones in a successive discrimination paradigm (experiment 1), which indicated that thigmotaxic cues can satisfy the cover‐seeking needs of the snakes. In simultaneous discrimination tests, however, dark places were always preferred by the snakes (experiments II, III). Therefore, although thigmotaxic cues are sufficient, these plus darkness constitute a more favorable alternative for N m pallida . The husbandry advantages associated with clear hiding boxes, together with their sufficiency for the snakes, argue strongly for their use in many captive environments.