Mozambique Spitting Cobra
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| Naja mossambica |
The Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica peters) is a type of cobra, native to Africa.
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[edit] Colour
In colour the snake is slate to olive grey, olive or tawny brown above, with some or all scales black-edging. Below, salmon pink to yellowish, with black bars across the neck and ventrals speckled or edged with brown or black; young specimens sometimes have pink or yellow bars on the throat.
[edit] Distribution
This species is probably the most common cobra of the savanna regions of the tropical and subtropical Africa. Younger specimens are much more frequently encountered in the open at daytime. Unlike the Egyptian Cobra, this species prefers localities near water, to which it will readily take when disturbed.
[edit] Toxicology
It is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa, second only to the Mamba. Like the Rinkhals, it can spit its venom. Its bite causes severe local tissue destruction (similar to that of the puff adder). Venom to the eyes can also cause impaired vision or blindness.
[edit] Habits
This snake is a nervous and highly strung snake. When confronted at close quarters this snake can rear up to as much as two-thirds of its length, spread its long narrow hood and will readily "spit" in defense, usually from a reared-up position. By doing this the venom can be ejected at a distance of 2-3 metres (5½ - 8¼ feet), with remarkable accuracy. The spitting cobra does not often actually bite despite its aggressive behaviour, and also shares the same habit of feigning death to avoid further molestation.
The average length of adults is between 900mm - 1,050mm (2½-3 feet), but largest specimen actually measured was a male 1,442mm (4 feet) long. (Trelawney, Zimbabwe)
