› The venom of the red spitting cobras contains cytotoxins that destroy tissues and neurotoxins which paralyze the swallowing and breathing muscles of their prey. Not all cobras are spitting cobras. Would you like to write for us? The length of an adult may range between 2.3 and 4 feet. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent.

› If sprayed by the venom of the red spitting cobra, immediately wash your eyes and seek medical help. All cobras, including this one, rise to a third or more of their length and show their hoods in warning when disturbed. The color of the red spitting cobra depends on its place of origin. They squeeze the muscles in their venom gland (a modified salivary gland). They are known to raid chickens in the region. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The bite of the red spitting cobra causes severe pain around the wound and may cause numbness in the lips and tongue. The hood is skin stretched over long, flexible ribs, like half an umbrella.

The red wolf was believed to be completely wiped off from the world a few decades ago. We will learn some more interesting facts about these snakes in this article. Most specimens will have a throat band, but it will fade or even sometimes disappear in larger adults. Spitting cobras hardly ever miss their targets: the eyes of the animal they are warning. They erect their hood and spit venom, aiming at the attacker’s or predator’s eyes. Some of the venom was believed to have entered his nasal passages and led to anaphylactic shock. Dorsal scales are smooth and strongly oblique. However, they will prey on rodents, birds[1] and probably other snakes. During the day, they hide in old logs, mounds, holes, or other types of ground cover. › The venom does not affect the skin. However, in rare cases, some are found to measure up to 4.9 feet in length. Reserve your timed-entry tickets. › The red spitting cobras are fast, alert, and speedy snakes. Specimens from other areas can be yellow, pinkish, pink-grey, pale red or steel grey. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. It primarily inhabits dry savanna and semidesert areas of East Africa up to an elevation of about 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) above sea level. Perhaps cobras evolved spitting--a defensive act--because their ancestors lived in a world of hoofed animals. They may spray jets of venom several times until the attacker retreats. Its bulky body and long fangs are like a viper's, but this Australian snake is a cobra relative--and it has the powerful venom to prove it.

Read more about health and safety. Elapidae, the family that includes cobras--and the Eastern Green Mamba, in a case near by--is a group of highly venomous snakes. Some specimens may have two or three throat bands, but this is uncommon for specimens from East Africa.

These cobras have small holes in front of their fangs which allow them to spray out the venom. [2][3] It is often thought of as an attractive species; it is usually bright salmon-red contrasted with a broad black throat band and subocular teardrop markings. [1] The murine IP LD50 value for this snake is 2 mg/kg.[4]. [6] Indeed, N. mossambica is more closely related to N. nigricollis than to this species. When threatened, it spits venom which is aimed at the attacker's eyes. exhibition. When threatened, it spits venom which is aimed at the attacker’s eyes.

The red spitting cobra (Naja pallida) is a species of spitting cobra native to Africa. NAME: Red Spitting Cobra; Naja pallida

Learn more about this interesting species in this AnimalSake article. It may cause a burning sensation, leading to temporary or permanent blindness. Prior to that, it was considered as a subspecies of the Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica). Phone: 212-769-5100. They may spray jets of venom several times until the attacker retreats.

The head looks distinct from the neck and is flattened. Spitting cobra venom can contain nerve toxins and other harmful substances. › Red spitting cobras are carnivorous, and their prey include lizards, frogs, small mammals, and birds and their eggs. They can usually be found near water holes. It may also hiss loudly. The ventral side is also reddish in colour, sometimes the throat area may be a creamy white. This snake spends its whole life in warm Indo-Pacific ocean waters. and gain time to escape.

› The female lays around 6 to 15 eggs in a burrow or rotting vegetation. For example, specimens from southern Kenya and northern Tanzania have an orange-red colour, with a broad, dark blue or black throat band. A paddlelike tail enables it to swim and dive; strong venom helps it subdue the fish it eats.

The dorsal scales on the body are strongly oblique in pattern. The true red specimens will become reddish-brown in colour as they age and grow in size. This pressure causes venom to be sprayed in certain geometric patterns so that the venom is targeted at the eyes of the predator. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! However, if it comes in contact with any cuts or wounds, it may prove hazardous. Venom. › The red spitting cobras are active at night. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word.

The canthus is distinct, while the snout is rounded. [2] The body of this snake is slightly depressed, tapered and moderately slender with a medium-length tail. We hope you enjoy this website. 200 Central Park West This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. However, the largest one found in Kenya, was almost 9 feet in length. Like most cobras, they exhibit cannibalism and eat other snakes.

Why spit venom from six feet away--stopping, but not killing, an enemy? A brilliant display of colors is a characteristic feature of the red spitting cobra. For example, specimens fro…

It is an attractive species of the cobra family that is easily distinguishable because of its bright salmon red coloring. If the intruder does not retreat, it may spray jets of venom to the face of the intruder. Now open! The distribution of these cobras ranges from northern Tanzania through Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and southern Egypt.

It has been observed that juveniles are more active during the day. Part of the Lizards and Snakes: Alive! Ashe’s spitting cobra (Naja ashei), also commonly known as the large brown spitting cobra, is the largest species of spitting cobra found in world today. New York, NY 10024-5102 [2], The red spitting cobra is mainly found in East Africa, including Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, southern Egypt, northern and eastern Ethiopia, and northern Tanzania and northern Sudan. Spitting cobras hardly ever miss their targets: the eyes of the animal they are warning. Bite symptoms include slight pain around the wound and numbness of the lips, fingers and tongue.