What physical feature frequently displayed by juvenile Naja nivea often fades as they mature?
Answer
Prominent, dark, transverse cross-bands.
A key developmental change observed in the Cape Cobra involves its pattern. Juvenile individuals of *Naja nivea*, regardless of whether their base color is yellow or brown, commonly display distinct, dark cross-bands running transversely across their body. As these snakes grow older and approach adulthood, these conspicuous bands tend to fade significantly or disappear entirely. This results in the uniform coloration—whether yellow, gold, or black—that is characteristic of many mature specimens, which can sometimes confuse observers relying on juvenile patterns for field identification.
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