After his studies in his home town of Rovereto, he went to Vienna to study natural history. On his return to his birthplace he taught at the technical institute, a position he occupied until 1902. He directed, from 1879 to 1937, the Rovereto museum . He collaborated with his brother Ruggero Cobelli (1838-1921), in various natural history researches, principally in entomology. He also worked with the entomologist Bernardino Halbherr (1844-1934).
Pietro Lorenzi & Silvio Bruno (2002). Uomini, storie, serpenti contributi alla storiografia erpetologica del Trentino-Alto Adige e Dintorni. Annali del Museo Civico di Rovereto, 17 : 173-274.