Mozambique spitting cobra

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Naja mossambica
)

Mozambique spitting cobra

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Naja
Species:
N. mossambica
Binomial name
Naja mossambica
Peters, 1854[2]
Map
Mozambique spitting cobra IUCN distribution
  Extant (resident)
Synonyms

Naja nigricollis mossambica Peters, 1854

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

Taxonomy

German naturalist Wilhelm Peters described this species in 1854.

Description

In colour, the snake is slate to blue, olive or tawny black above, with some or all scales having black edging. Below, it is 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.[3][4]

The average length of adults is between 90 cm and 105 cm (3–3½ feet), but the largest specimen measured was a male 154 cm (5 feet) long in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.[4]

Distribution

This species is the most common cobra of the

Egyptian Cobra, this species prefers localities near water, to which it will readily take when disturbed.[4]

Toxicology

The snake is considered one of the most dangerous in Africa. Its venom is about as toxic as the American

puff adder). Venom to the eyes can also cause impaired vision or blindness.[4]
The venom of this species contains postsynaptic
cytotoxin. There have been only a few fatalities resulting from bites of this species, and survivors are mostly disfigured.[5]

A polyvalent

Instituto Clodomiro Picado.[6]

Diet

The cobra's diet mainly consists of amphibians, other snakes, birds, eggs, small mammals, and occasionally even insects.

immunity to its venom.[8]

Habits

The 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. This species also can spit its venom without rearing up and flare out its neck into a hood, as well as spit from very tight spaces. The spitting cobra might bite instead of spitting depending on its circumstances, and like the rinkhals, it may feign death to avoid further molestation.[3]

Reproduction

The eggs average 10 to 22 in number; hatchlings measure 230–250 mm.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Naja mossambica.
  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T20878771A20878776.en
  2. ^ "Naja mossambica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1-86872-451-2
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 9780883590423
    .
  5. ^ Venomous Snakes of the world by Mark O'Shea, Page number 72
  6. S2CID 24231215
    .
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Mozambique spitting cobra makes a meal of a black mamba". Earth Touch News.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mozambique_spitting_cobra&oldid=1191765728"