Arabian cobra bred in captivity for first time

In a scientific breakthrough, the Arabian cobra has been bred in captivity for the first time in the world. Researchers at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife (BCEAW), part of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Government of Sharjah, have achieved this feat. A female cobra laid 19 eggs, which were placed by researchers in an incubator so as to monitor and collect the data on temperature, humidity and growth of embryos. 16 babies Article continues below After 59 days of monitoring, 16 babies were hatched from those eggs — something that happened in captivity for the first time in the world. Measuring up to two metres in length, the cobra is considered to be one of the largest venomous snakes in Arabia and is found in the highlands of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. The BCEAW's key objective is to breed this endangered wildlife creature. However, its initiative also serves as a base for research into various types of mammals, reptiles, freshwater fish, amphibians and invertebrates which are commonly found in the Arabian Peninsula.