Mozambique spitting cobra

The Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica) is a highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to Africa. It was largely found at Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Mozambique spitting cobra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Naja
Species:
N. mossambica
Binomial name
Naja mossambica
Peters, 1854[1]
Mozambique spitting cobra distribution
Synonyms

Naja nigricollis mossambica Peters, 1854

Taxonomy

German naturalist Wilhelm Peters described this species in 1854.

Description

In color the snake is slate to blue, olive or tawny black above, with some or all scales black-edging. Below, salmon pink to purple 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.[2][3]

The average length of adults is between 90 cm - 105 cm (3-3½ feet), but largest specimen actually measured was a male 154 cm (5 feet) long. (Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa]).[3]

Distribution

This species is the most common cobra of the savanna regions of the tropical and subtropical Africa. The distribution includes Natal, as far south as Durban, Mpumalanga Province Lowveld region, south-eastern Tanzania and Pemba Island and west to southern Angola and northern Namibia. 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.[3]

Toxicology

It is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa. Its venom is about as toxic as the American Mojave rattlesnake, considered the world's most venomous rattlesnake. 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.[3] The venom of this species contains postsynaptic neurotoxin and cytotoxin. There have been only a few fatalities resulting from bites of this species but survivors are mostly disfigured.[4]

A polyvalent antivenom is currently being developed by the Universidad de Costa Rica's Instituto Clodomiro Picado.[5]

Diet

This cobra's diet mainly consists of amphibians, other snakes, birds, eggs, small mammals, and occasionally even insects.[3] This cobra has been reported to scavenge and eat carcasses in an advanced stage of decomposition.[6]

Habits

This snake is nervous and temperamental. When confronted at close quarters, it can rear up as much as two-thirds of its length and spread its long narrow hood, and will readily "spit" in defense, usually from a reared-up position. The venom can be propelled 2–3 metres (6½-10 feet), with great accuracy. The spitting cobra might bite instead of spitting, depending on its circumstances, and like the rinkhals it may feign death to avoid further molestation.[2]

Reproduction

The eggs average 10 to 22 in number, hatchlings measure 230-250mm.[7]

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References
  1. "Naja mossambica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  2. Carruthers, Vincent (2005). The Wildlife of Southern Africa: A Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of the Region?. Struik. p. 100. ISBN 978-1-86872-451-2.
  3. Branch, Bill (1998). Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Ralph Curtis Publishing. p. 109. ISBN 9780883590423.
  4. Venomous Snakes of the world by Mark O'Shea, Page number 72
  5. Sánchez, Andrés; et al. (2017). "Expanding the neutralization scope of the EchiTAb-plus-ICP antivenom to include venoms of elapids from Southern Africa". Toxicon. 125: 59–64. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.11.259. PMID 27890775.
  6. Canning, G; Davidson, S; Phillips; Myram, P (April 2017). "Mozambique spitting cobra" (PDF). Herpetological Association of Africa. African Herp News. p. 28. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  7. "Mozambique Spitting Cobra". Reptile Range. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
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