Mozambique Spitting Cobra Naja mossambica OTHER NAMES Mosambiekse spoegkobra (A) M’fezi (Z)

Length: Adults average 1–1,2 m, rarely exceeding 1,5 m.

Scale count: Dorsal scales are in 23–25 (rarely 21 or 27) rows at midbody, with 177–205 ventrals and 52–71 paired subcaudals. The anal shield is entire. There are 6 (rarely 7) upper labials with the 3rd (sometimes 3rd and 4th) entering the eye, and 9 (sometimes 8, 10 or 11) lower labials, as well as 2 preoculars (sometimes 1) and 3 (sometimes 2) postoculars. Temporals are variable.

Colour: Above, slate grey to olive brown, with each scale dark-edged. Below, salmon pink or sometimes yellowish with black crossbars and blotches on the throat – sometimes forming a band across the ventral scales.

Preferred habitat: The most common of the region’s cobras, found largely in moist savanna and lowland forest where it favours broken rocky country, hollow logs, termite mounds and animal holes, often close to permanent water.

Habits: May bask near a retreat or forage on overcast days, otherwise it is more active at night. Juveniles, however, are quite active in the day. It is a retiring snake that seldom stands its ground. If cornered it may spread a hood, but will not hold the pose for long. Its main defence, other than going into hiding, is to eject or spit its venom.

The fangs are specially modified for spitting: the venom canal openings at the tips are directed forwards and at right angles to the fangs, enabling the snake to eject its venom to a distance greater than 2 m. This snake does not always spread its hood before spitting and may only open its mouth slightly before doing so. It can spit effectively from a concealed position within a rock crevice. The venom supply is seemingly inexhaustible. If venom lands on the hair, face or arms it poses no threat, but in the eyes it causes an immediate burning sensation and should be washed out immediately with large quan-tities of water or any other bland liquid.

Similar species: May be confused with other cobras, the Mole Snake (Pseudaspis cana) and the Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus).

Enemies: Preyed upon by snakes.

Food and feeding: Preys on toads, small mammals, birds, lizards, insects and snakes, including the Puff Adder (Bitis arietans). May be found searching for food in poultry runs and in the vicinity of houses.

Reproduction: Oviparous, laying 10–22 eggs (35 x 20 mm) in midsummer. Hatchlings measure 23–25 cm.

Danger to man: A common snake with a potent venom. Accounts for many bites in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

Venom: Predominantly cytotoxic, causing serious local tissue damage that often requires skin grafts. Only slight neurotoxic symptoms, such as drowsiness, may occur and fatalities are rare. The early administration of antivenom may reduce the extent of tissue damage.

Information courtesy of A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa, written by Johan Marais and published by Random House Struik. For more information visit www.reptileventures.com