Mozambique spitting cobra

Introduction: The Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica) is one of the more dangerous of cobras. It prefers a habitat common to lowveld regions and instances of them foraging around houses at night are not uncommon. They will spread their broad hood and spit when threatened. This species produces enormous amounts of dilute venom which it will spray at an intruders eyes, causing intense pain. Treatment might include skin grafts. Fatalities are exceptionally rare though.

Distribution: Savannah regions of north east Namibia including Etosha National Park, the Kavango and Caprivi regions, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.

Diet: Rodents, lizards, toads and grasshoppers.

Colouring: The upper body is pale grey to dark olive with each scale edged in black. The belly is pink to yellow.

Breeding: Females lay between 10 to 22 small eggs in summer.

Size: Max SVL male 1.3, female 1.3m.