Mozambique Spitting Cobra

Naja mossambica

Last updated: March 30, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© NickEvansKZN/Shutterstock.com

Mozambique Spitting Cobra is one of Africa's most dangerous snakes.


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Mozambique Spitting Cobra Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Elapidae
Genus
Naja
Scientific Name
Naja mossambica

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Mozambique Spitting Cobra Conservation Status

Mozambique Spitting Cobra Locations

Mozambique Spitting Cobra Locations

Mozambique Spitting Cobra Facts

Prey
Small mammals, birds, insects, amphibians, carrion, other snakes
Fun Fact
Mozambique Spitting Cobra is one of Africa's most dangerous snakes.
Diet for this Fish
Carnivore
Average Litter Size
10-22 eggs
Common Name
Mozambique spitting cobra

Mozambique Spitting Cobra Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Grey
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Black
  • Pink
  • Olive
  • Tawny
  • Black-Brown
Skin Type
Scales
Lifespan
20 years in captivity
Length
2.9-3.5ft
Venomous
Yes
Aggression
High

View all of the Mozambique Spitting Cobra images!



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“Spitting cobras have openings in the front of their fangs so they can spit venom.”

The Mozambique spitting cobra is a snake species native to Africa. It is a highly venomous type of cobra that is so named because it projects venom from its fangs into its attacker’s eyes, which can cause vision problems or blindness. The venom from its bite can destroy local tissue like the puff adder. Although the rinkhals can also spit its venom, it is not a true cobra and is in the genus Hemachatus rather than Naja.

5 Mozambique Spitting Cobra Amazing Facts

  • Its size is smaller for cobra species in terms of length.
  • It is one of Africa‘s most dangerous snakes. The only other cobra species that is deadlier is the Caspian cobra, while its venom is as toxic as the world’s most venomous snake, the American Mojave rattlesnake.
  • Its venom is cytotoxic, meaning its bite causes local tissue damage in addition to pain.
  • One of the unique facts about it is that, unlike other cobra species, the holes in its fangs are at right angles, allowing it to spit venom while on the ground or while rearing up with its hood raised.
  • It can spit venom at a distance of 4 to 8 feet.

Where To Find Mozambique Spitting Cobra

This cobra species is found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its habitat is the savannahs, forests, and shrublands in the tropical and subtropical zones, where it lives near bodies of water and in termite mounds, hollow logs, and rocky areas. This snake is solitary except for reproduction, while the mating season is April or May.

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Mozambique Spitting Cobra Scientific Name

The Mozambique spitting cobra has no alternative names. Its scientific name is Naja mossambica. It is in the Reptilia (reptiles) and the family Elapidae, venomous snakes with permanently erect front fangs. Although it is found in several other African countries. the naturalist Wilhelm Peters described this snake in 1854 after discovering it in Mozambique, so Mozambique became part of its name. There are no subspecies.

Mozambique Spitting Cobra Population & Conservation Status

The population of the snake is unknown. However, there are no known threats to this species. Its conservation status is listed as Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

How To Identify Mozambique Spitting Cobra: Appearance and Description

This snake has a slate-grey, blue, olive, or tawny brown-black upper body, while its scales have black edges. The scales on its underside are salmon pink or yellowish with black or brown speckles or edges. There are black bands across its throat. Snakelets have pink or yellow bands across their throats.



The size of this cobra is 2.9 to 3.5 feet long. It weighs 10 to 15lbs. Males are the same size as females.

Mozambique Spitting Cobra Pictures

Mozambique Spitting Cobra has a slate-grey, blue, olive or tawny brown-black upper body, while its scales have black edges.
Mozambique Spitting Cobra has a slate-grey, blue, olive, or tawny brown-black upper body, while its scales have black edges.

©NickEvansKZN/Shutterstock.com

Mozambique spitting cobra is so named because it projects venom from its fangs into its attacker's eyes, which can cause vision problems or blindness.
Mozambique spitting cobra is so named because it projects venom from its fangs into its attacker’s eyes, which can cause vision problems or blindness.

©Cormac Price/Shutterstock.com

Mozambique Spitting Cobra is 2.9 to 3.5 feet long and it weighs 10 to 15lbs.
Mozambique Spitting Cobra is 2.9 to 3.5 feet long and it weighs 10 to 15lbs.

©NickEvansKZN/Shutterstock.com

Mozambique Spitting Cobra Venom: How Dangerous Are They?

Once someone has experienced a bite from this cobra, they will have pain as well as local tissue damage. If the snake sprays venom into their eyes, they can experience vision loss or blindness. But if its venom sprays onto the face or another part of the body besides the eyes or into the skin, it cannot have any negative effects.

Mozambique Spitting Cobra Behavior and Humans

Like other cobra snakes, it moves very fast. It often bites people while they are sleeping. It displays high speed while both attacking and moving around. Because of its speed, ability to spit venom, and the toxicity of its bite, the best course of action when encountering it is to run away.

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Mozambique Spitting Cobra FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What happens if a Mozambique Spitting Cobra bites you?

You will experience severe local tissue damage and pain or, if in the eyes, impaired vision and blindness.

Why is it called Mozambique Spitting Cobra?

Because of its ability to spit venom from its fangs, which it can do because the holes for the venom are at right angles to the fangs.

What kind of venom does a Mozambique Spitting Cobra have?

The venom contains powerful postsynaptic neurotoxins and cytotoxins.

Is a Mozambique spitting cobra deadly?

Yes, it is dangerous and can be fatal for humans. It is definitely deadly for its prey.

What does a Mozambique spitting cobra eat?

This snake has a carnivorous diet. It eats mice and other small mammals, birds, insects, amphibians, and carrion. It also eats the black mamba, puff adder, and other snakes, and it is immune to other venomous snakes.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozambique_spitting_cobra
  2. Kidadl, Available here: https://kidadl.com/animal-facts/mozambique-spitting-cobra-facts
  3. Animalia, Available here: https://animalia.bio/mozambique-spitting-cobra
  4. Namibia Safari 2 Go, Available here: https://namibian.org/nature/reptiles-and-frogs/snakes/mozambique-spitting-cobra#:~:text=Colouring%3A%20The%20upper%20body%20is,male%201.3%2C%20female%201.3m.

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