Although Rinkhals resemble Cobras, they are not part of the Cobra family and differ in some important ways that include having keeled scales and giving live birth.

When cornered they stand their ground and won’t hesitate to “spit” their venom at a perceived threat. This species also shams death at times, lying on the ground upside down with their tongue out.

Rinkhals have a cytotoxic (tissue-destroying) venom, but bites are very rare.