Reptile Questions

How many types of spitting cobras are there?

There are several species of Asian and African spitting cobras, and Young had individuals of three - the red, black-necked, and black-and-white spitting cobras. Getting the snakes was straightforward enough; getting them to spit is another matter.

What Are The Different Types Of Spitting Cobras? 1 Mozambique spitting cobra ( Naja mossambica)#N#The Mozambique spitting cobra is mostly found in open woodlands, savannah... 2 Zebra spitting cobra & Black spitting cobra ( Naja nigricincta)#N#This particular species of African spitting cobra... More ...

How Do Spitting Cobras Reproduce? Mating. Spitting cobras reproduce sexually; males will use one of their two hemipenes to transfer sperm to the female. Hemipenes are usually inverted and carried inside the male's body. When it's time for mating, one hemipenis is everted through the male's vent and inserted in the vent of the female.

What Spitting Cobras Are Aiming For?

Spitting cobras aim for the eyes... When the venom hits the eye, the neurotoxins in the venom blinds the victim temporarily. Research conducted by Katja Tzschätzsch, a research student at the University of Bonn in Germany, revealed that spitting cobras aim at moving faces.

Are There Any Mozambique Spitting Cobras In Chatsworth? A call out for three Mozambique spitting cobras in Chatsworth kept a KZN snake rescuer on his toes recently. Nick Evans, a well known Durban snake catcher and conservationist, was on his way to Chatsworth to deliver something, when he got a call for a Mozambique spitting cobra, also in Chatsworth.

Are King Cobra The Same As Spitting Cobras? While the spitting cobra can spray venom at its enemies, it is ultimately no match for the larger king cobra. Javan spitting cobras have a maximum length of 6.1 feet (1.9 meters) while king cobras have a maximum length of 18.8 feet (5.7 meters). So, in this situation, what does a smaller cobra do?

Are There Black Spitting Cobras In South Africa? The Black Spitting Cobra inhabits much of Namaqualand and occurs east from Cape Town northwards into much of Namaqualand extending east to Tswalo and Witsand and north into southern Namibia. It is active during the day and favours dry river beds. It is a shy and elusive snake that is quick to escape if encountered. Bites are extremely rare.

What Do Red Spitting Cobras Do During The Day? The adult red spitting cobra is a nocturnal reptile. During the daytime, the snake hides in tree trunks, ravines, deep heaps of leaves, or the deep grass. However, early in the morning, the snake basks on sandy platforms. The cobra is an agile tree climber and hangs from the tree branches and vines.

Do Black-necked Spitting Cobras Spit?

Black-necked spitting cobras are sometimes found in captivity, and wild-caught individuals are generally nervous and prone to spitting. Captive-bred animals tend to be much more docile and calm when compared to their wild-caught counterparts.

Where Do Red Spitting Cobras Hide During The Day? Red spitting cobras are terrestrial, fast, and alert snakes. Adults are nocturnal, while juveniles are more active during the day. During the day adults like to hide in termite mounds, old logs, holes, brush piles, or any other ground cover.

What Do Black-necked Spitting Cobras Eat? Black-necked spitting cobras are carnivores. Their diet includes primarily small rodents, such as small rats and mice, birds, and fishes, but they will also eat lizards, eggs, and even other snakes. Black-necked spitting cobras are oviparous meaning they lay eggs.

Why Do Spitting Cobras Have Venom Spray? These spitting cobras use the venom spray as a defense mechanism, and not for catching their prey. We're all aware of the famous cobra with its threatening hood. There are 270 types of cobras that have been identified as of today. One such type is the spitting cobra! Most of us are familiar with the uniqueness of the spitting cobra.

Are There Spitting Cobras In The Philippines? There are three species of spitting cobras that are native to the Philippines: the Equatorial Spitting Cobra, The Southeastern Philippine Cobra, and the Northern Philippine cobra, known also as the Philippine Cobra.

What Eats Spitting Cobras?

A number of other animals may opportunistically prey on spitting cobras. Crocodiles and large fish consume anything in their reach that looks small enough to swallow; hawks and eagles are known to consume cobras when the opportunity presents itself; and humans have been eating snakes for millennia, venomous or not.

Where Are Black Spitting Cobras Found In Singapore? It appears to be less abundant in intact, primary lowland forests. In Singapore, where it is called the Black Spitting Cobra, it is often encountered in leafy suburbs and occasionally in high density housing estates.

Do Spitting Cobras Bite Or Spit Venom? When cornered, some species "spit" their venom as far as 2 m (6.6 ft). While spitting typically is their primary form of defense, all spitting cobras also can deliver venom by biting. Most spitting cobras' venoms are significantly cytotoxic, apart from the neurotoxic and cardiotoxic effects typical of other cobra species.

What Are Some Interesting Facts About Spitting Cobras? According to the American Museum of Natural History, spitting cobras also have the ability to shoot venom from their fangs directly into the eyes of the victim with terrifying accuracy. Venom in the eyes can lead to blindness if not washed out well.

Are There Black Spitting Cobras In Bali? All black Spitting Cobras are found in Java, but not in Bali. Unlike many other types of Cobra in other countries, Spitting Cobras here are reluctant to sit up and spread their hoods in typical Cobra style. When the hood is not extended, they look like many other snakes.

Are King Cobras Bigger Than Spitting Cobras?

While the spitting cobra can spray venom at its enemies, it is ultimately no match for the larger king cobra. Javan spitting cobras have a maximum length of 6.1 feet (1.9 meters) while king cobras have a maximum length of 18.8 feet (5.7 meters).

Where Do Spitting Cobras Live In The World? Equatorial Spitting Cobra (0.60 mg per kg) The equatorial spitting cobra is a Southeast Asian species that is found in the countries of Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore. These snakes are found at elevations of up to about 4,900 feet where they live in primary and secondary forests.

Why Do Spitting Cobras Aim Their Venom At The Eyes? They aim for the eyes and once the venom hits the eye, the neurotoxins in the venom cause a condition of chemical conjunctivitis, which eventually blinds the victim temporarily. The venom of a spitting cobra has no effect if it falls on the skin. It has to fall into the eyes, for effect, which is why the cobra aims at the eyes.

How Dangerous Is The Venom Of Spitting Cobras? In the case of the spitting cobras like Naja mossambica and Naja nigricincta for example, the venom mix becomes predominantly cytotoxic which attacks body tissue cells and causes severe pain, swelling and if left untreated, necrosis (death of cells and tissue) may set in.

Do Spitting Cobras Aim For Your Eyes? If you're unlucky and by some horrible chance you do, a word of advice: Close your eyes. Katja Tzschätzsch, a research student at the University of Bonn in Germany, has demonstrated that the red Mozambique spitting cobra and the black-necked spitting cobra deliberately aim for the eyes of whomever or whatever they feel threatened by.

How Do Spitting Cobras Deliver Venom?

While spitting typically is their primary form of defense, all spitting cobras also can deliver venom by biting. Most spitting cobras' venoms are significantly cytotoxic, apart from the neurotoxic and cardiotoxic effects typical of other cobra species.

Where Do Zebra Spitting Cobras Live? The Zebra spitting cobra is located in southern Angola, South Africa and central and northern Namibia. The coloration of this subspecies is gray-brown, yellow or pink and consists of dark cross bars that run from the head to its tail.

How Many Babies Do Red Spitting Cobras Have At Once? They usually mate from mid-spring and until early summer. The female lays 6 to 21 eggs and the incubation period lasts for 80-120 days. Red spitting cobras don't guard their clutches and don't provide parental care to their young.

Are Spitting Cobras Nocturnal Or Diurnal? Spitting cobras often showcase their defensive behavior against oppressors like mongoose, predatory birds like eagles and giant monitor lizards. While most species are nocturnal hunters, there are a few that are diurnal like the Equatorial spitting cobra.

How Dangerous Are Spitting Cobras To Humans? Some cobras, including all spitting cobras, have cytotoxic venom that attacks body tissue and causes severe pain, swelling and possible necrosis (death of cells and tissue).

Are There Spitting Cobras In Malaysia?

The Malayan spitting cobra (also known as the Equatorial spitting cobra) is found in many Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and of course, Malaysia. Taking on a black form in Malaysia, this highly venomous species is not to be messed with.

How Many Types Of Spitting Cobra Are There? There are two color types of the Equatorial spitting cobra - a yellow colored form that is found in Thailand and a deep black colored form found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore. This species doesn't showcase any hood marks.

Do Black-necked Spitting Cobras Bite? Black-necked spitting cobras are known for their ability to project venom at a potential threat; they readily spit venom and bite with only the slightest provocation. Black-necked spitting cobras are sometimes found in captivity, and wild-caught individuals are generally nervous and prone to spitting.

How Are Mozambique Spitting Cobras Able To Eat Black Mambas? Mozambique spitting cobras can absorb some strikes from a black mamba due to resistance to their venom, disarming the black mamba's only weapon. Think of the black mamba as a boxer who relies on a quick knock out, but can't go the distance with the slugger who can wear him down.

What Do Mozambique Spitting Cobras Eat? Mozambique spitting cobras are also known to feeding on venomous snakes like Black mamba and have developed immunity to its venom. Females typically lay between 10 and 22 eggs and the young measure 230-250 mm when they hatch. There are no major threats to the Mozambique spitting cobra at present.

Are There Any Spitting Cobras In Mozambique?

The exceptions are the Mozambique Spitting Cobra ( Naja mossambica) and the Zebra Cobra ( Naja nigricincta nicgricincta). These two spitting cobras are ferocious feeders and have the unfortunate habit of entering houses at night whilst hunting.

When Do Asian Spitting Cobras Mate? Asian spitting cobras generally mate during the dry season which is means in the months of August to October. The incubation period of a typical female spitting cobra lasts for 70 - 90 days on average. During such period the female spitting cobra is highly aggressive, territorial and protective.

How Many Spitting Cobras Are There In The World? When cornered, some can "spit" their venom up to a distance of 6.5 feet (2 meters). Four out of seven cobra varieties found in Africa and seven out of nine found in Asia can spit. While this is typically their form of defense, all spitting cobras are also able to deliver venom through a bite.

How Many Types Of Spitting Cobra Snakes Are There? In Asia too there are 7 different species found. Equatorial Spitting Cobra, Philippine Cobra, Indochinese Spitting Cobra and Indonesian Spitting Cobra are the most notable ones. 26. Ashe's Spitting Cobra is the world's largest spitting cobra species with the average length of these snakes reaching up to 6.5 feet.

How Do Spitting Cobras Shoot For The Eyes? Spitting cobras aim for the eyes... When the venom hits the eye, the neurotoxins in the venom blinds the victim temporarily. Research conducted by Katja Tzschätzsch, a research student at the University of Bonn in Germany, revealed that spitting cobras aim at moving faces .

Are There Any Spitting Cobras In South Africa?

MOZAMBIQUE SPITTING COBRA - NAJA MOSSAMBICA The Mozambique Spitting Cobra or Mosambiekse spoegkobra as its referred to in Afrikaans. Is one of the only two cobras that can spit/spray its venom in South Africa. If the venom enters the eyes it causing intense burning and should be rinsed out with any bland liquid as soon as possible.

How Often Do Spitting Cobras Eat? Cobra home. These mighty snakes live in Africa and Asia, preferring savannas, open woodlands, plains, and rocky hillsides. Eating out. At dawn and dusk, hungry cobras begin to move and look for a good spot to hunt for their meal. They can go for days or even months without eating, depending on how large their last meal was. The snake's slow metabolism makes this possible.

Where Do Black Necked Spitting Cobras Live In Africa? Black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis) This particular species that is also known as the Black-necked spitting cobra is found mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to morphological and regional differences, the species is entirely distinct from Naja nigricincta.

How Do Spitting Cobras Protect Themselves? While this is typically their form of defense, all spitting cobras are also able to deliver venom through a bite. Wildlife care specialists at the San Diego Zoo wear a protective shield, which covers the head and protects the eyes, when working with these snakes.