Mozambique Spitting Cobra

“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.

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 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.

Similar Animals

• Forest cobra
• Indian cobra
• Yellow cobra