Published on: 2026-09-06
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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At the Moscow Zoo, which is subordinate to the capital’s To the Department of Culture, baby Central Asian (Near Eastern) cobras have hatched. Three babies were born between August 12 and 17. Offspring of this extremely rare species have been obtained for the first time since the 1980s.
The specialists immediately placed the eggs in a special incubator, where a stable temperature of about 28 degrees was maintained. This approach was chosen because cobras are extremely sensitive to external stimuli.
“Currently, the babies weigh 14–18 grams, and they reach a length of 24–26 centimeters. Their coloration is yellow-gray-olive with vertical stripes, which will lighten with age. The snakelets have already successfully gone through their first molt and will soon begin to feed independently. Adult individuals of this species grow up to 150–180 centimeters. The sex of our little ones is still unknown — it will be determined later,” noted Svetlana Akulova, General Director of the Moscow Zoo.
There are no reptiles yet in the exhibit. Adding to the collection is an important step in preserving biological diversity.
Central Asian cobras inhabit several post-Soviet countries, including Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Caring for these snakes requires a special approach: reptiles need to be provided with a prolonged wintering period lasting four to five months. During this time, the temperature in the terrarium is gradually lowered from 24–25 to 12 degrees. After emerging from hibernation, the snakes molt and actively regain their strength.
Adult cobras appeared in the Moscow Zoo in 2004 as part of an international conservation program. The birth of three offspring is the result of many years of painstaking work by the zoo’s herpetologists and a significant contribution to the preservation of this rare species.
Moscow Zoo is a rapidly developing space. Scientific activities are conducted here, international conferences are held, and educational projects are implemented. The organization creates unique opportunities for residents and visitors of the capital to get acquainted with the world of living nature.
At the beginning of 2025, the Moscow Zoo set a world record for the number of animal species represented. They housed 1,253 species. By 2026, the number had approached 1,280. This achievement was made possible thanks to the many years of work by the entire team, including zoologists, veterinarians, keepers, and other specialists.
A large-scale on the portal mos.ru appeared special project, dedicated to the development of key sectors of Moscow. These include transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and the construction sector. The special project helps to learn how the capital has changed over the past years, what initiatives are currently being implemented to make the lives of city residents even more comfortable, and what awaits Moscow and its inhabitants in the near future.
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Moscow is the center of the country’s cultural life and ranks among the leading metropolises in terms of the number of museums and exhibition halls. The city has established a film cluster that unites the Moskino film factory on Ryazansky Avenue, the Gorky Film Studio, and the Moskino film park.
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