In December 2014, the Swedish regulator required that all Swedish reactors should be equipped with an Independent Core Cooling System - ICCS - before 31 December 2020. This work-horse boot can tackle the harsh African terrain. It is quick to make a hood and spit venom but will avoid humans where possible. The Zebra Cobra or Western Barred Spitting Cobra as it is sometimes called, spits its venom with ease and accounts for many bites in Namibia. A medium sized cobra that reaches around 1.5 meters in length. [3] They give birth to 20–35 live young, but as many as 65 young have been recorded. When cornered or molested, it will assume the typical cobra warning posture by raising its fore body off the ground, spreading a narrow hood, and hissing loudly. A few Arno Bernard knives showing varieties of size, design, and materials. On 20 December 2019, the R2 reactor was permanently shut down[16]. Bites to humans are rare, but venom in eyes to both humans and pets, such as dogs, is common. They prey primarily on small rodents. The exit opening shifted so that it has a ninety-degree angle to the fang, allowing venom to be sprayed forward instead of downwards. Unit R4, starting later, could take advantage of being aware of the problems, and due to high attention to water chemistry and maintenance efforts the R4 steam generators were replaced in 2011 after 28 years of operation. Rinkhals are carnivores and have a varied diet. It warned that it may be forced to shut all the nuclear plants down, and argued that the nuclear output tax, which constituted over one third of the price,[13] should be scrapped. [6], Rinkhals are unique amongst African cobras in being ovoviviparous. The Rinkhals is not as efficient at spitting as the spitting cobras, having a more primitive system. [7] For a short time all nuclear power plants in Sweden increased their alert level, but no more explosives were found, and no-one could be tied to the discovery. The rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus), also called the ringhals or ring-necked spitting cobra, is a species of venomous elapid found in parts of southern Africa. As a result of the Barsebäck strainer incident in 1992[1] the recirculation strainer capacity was significantly increased for R1 in 1992 and R2 in 1994. [3] [6], If distressed, the rinkhals spreads its hood, showing its distinctive, striped neck. When these cobras spit their venom, they usually release around 5 mg of venom per spit, meaning they can spit multiple consecutive times. The Oryx from the Grazer series with a Sambar Stag grip and cape buffalo sheath. The ability to spit venom occurred due to modifications of physiological features. The black-necked spitting cobra is a species of spitting cobra found mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Formally this was imposed through a new law, Villkorslagen which required proof of an "absolute safe" method for disposal of spent nuclear fuel before new reactors were allowed to be loaded with fresh nuclear fuel. If handled at this stage it may bite and is best left alone. The Oryx is 8-1/8" overall with a blade length of 3-7/8" and 12C27 steel. The Caspian cobra, also called the Central Asian cobra, ladle snake, Oxus cobra, or Russian cobra is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. al. The ability to project or spit venom occurs in both Asian and African Cobras and appears to have evolved separately on both continents. Rinkhals are unique amongst African cobras in being ovoviviparous which means they give birth to live young. In January 2016, Vattenfall announced that all its Swedish nuclear power plants, including the newer reactors, were operating at a loss due to low electricity prices and Sweden's nuclear power tax ("effektskatt"). An isolated population is centered on Inyanga on the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border. Various species occur in regions throughout Africa, Southwest Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The Mozambique Spitting Cobra accounts for the most bites in southern Africa, followed by the Puff Adder (Bitis arietans). It is the national reptile of India. Made of highly durable 1000D Nylon material, this hard wearing and lightweight Rinkhals Pistol Holster from Pentagon is an excellent protective gun storage option for any demanding tactical user. In southern Africa, spitting occurs in 4 cobra species and the Rinkhals. We are the leading training provider of Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling courses in Africa, as well as the largest distributor of quality snake handling equipment on the continent. The species is native to Africa. In all other respects it acts like a cobra, being able to rear up and spread a hood. Elapids are endemic to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, with terrestrial forms in Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas alongside marine forms in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In October 2012, 20 anti-nuclear Greenpeace activists scaled the outer perimeter standard industrial fence, and there was also an incursion at Forsmark nuclear power plant. Although designed for 40 years of operation, both unit R2 and R3 replaced their steam generators after 14 years, i.e. The king cobra, also known as the hamadryad, is a venomous snake species in the family Elapidae, endemic to forests from India through Southeast Asia. R4 was also somewhat delayed due to the referendum but also due to remediation of some technical problems identified at the start-up of the sister-plant R3, and started commercial operation 21 November 1983. [2] The availability of FCVS - Filtered Containment Venting System, ICSS - Independent Containment Spray System and PAR - Passive Autocatalytic hydrogen Recombiners, turned out to be valuable capabilities in these beyond-design-events and no immediate plant modifications were proposed as a post-Fukushima-response. SFS 2017:401 - Riksdagen", "Vattenfall seeks to return reactors to profitability", "Energiöverenskommelsen 2016-06-10 (the agreement about energy in Sweden 2016-06-10)", "Unikt avtal - reaktor säkrar elnätet i sommar", Deutsche Gesellschaft zum Bau und Betrieb von Endlagern für Abfallstoffe, Deutsche Offshore-Testfeld und Infrastruktur, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ringhals_Nuclear_Power_Plant&oldid=965441202, Buildings and structures in Halland County, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 1 July 2020, at 09:59. Opinion changed and in the parliamentary election of 1976 a new government was elected with a clear mandate to phase out nuclear power no later than 1985. Sign up to have our free monthly newsletter delivered to your inbox: Before you download this resource, would you like to join our email newsletter list? African custom blade, where functionality and art meet. Hence R3 could be loaded with fuel and started commercial operation on 9 September 1981, more than four years after essentially completed the construction phase in 1977. There is a relic population in the Zimbabwe eastern highlands that also appears scarce. Their spitting mechanism is primitive due to which the snake has to rear up and fling its body forward to spray its venom. Fully adjustable strap keeps gun securely in the holster, whereas stiff … Wolfgang Wüster suggested that the evolution of spitting cobras arose around the time that apes started evolving in both Africa and Asia. Predators of this species include birds of prey, honey badgers and various species of mongoose. The head is short and quite pointed, somewhat resembling that of Acantophis ssp., but without being as distinct from the neck, and with fairly large, black eyes. Like other spitting cobras, they can eject venom from their fangs when threatened. The young are born precocial (fully developed) and measure approximately 16-17 cm in length. Rinkhals is a small to medium-sized poisonous species of snake belonging to the elapid family, occurring in some regions of southern Africa. The exit opening was also reduced in size, allowing greater pressure for the venom to be sprayed further, much like placing a thumb over the open end of a hosepipe to create a high-pressure spray. If it is harassed or threatened it may also play dead, rolling over and opening the mouth. Two more pressurized water reactors, R3 and R4, were ordered from Westinghouse in 1971 and construction work started in 1972. Did you know that we present online courses too? This figure demonstrates the angle the venom is projected as it exits the fang. [3]. Like true cobras, rinkhals can spit their venom. A pair of sunglasses is sufficient to prevent venom in the eyes although safety glasses that seal around the eyes are recommended. Colouration varies throughout its distribution area, but a characteristic of the species is the belly is dark with one or two light-coloured crossbands on the throat. The Javan spitting cobra, also called Indonesian cobra, is a species of cobra in the family Elapidae, found in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, including Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Komodo, and others. The lethal dose (amount required to kill a person) is around 50 mg. If distressed, rinkhals spread their hood, showing their distinctive, striped neck. Most spitting cobras have around 200 – 300 mg of venom in the two venom glands. Young et. The regulator acknowledged the improvements, and the increased surveillance was waived for 2013.[6]. It almost always spits its venom from a hooded position, lunging forward as it spits the venom. [8], The rinkhals generally prefers grassland habitats because it allows them to blend in with the surroundings. The referendum was held on 23 March 1980 and the result was interpreted as a "yes" to completion of construction and operation of the whole Swedish nuclear program with 12 reactors. [3] General symptoms of drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, violent abdominal pain, cramps and vertigo often occur, as does a mild pyrexial reaction. [4], Following a number of observations of deficiencies in the safety culture since 2005, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority decided in 2009 to put Ringhals under increased surveillance. It is also known to enter houses at night and bites victims in their sleep. The second adaptation was the consistency of venom which became more watery, allowing it to be sprayed better. The Rinkhals is a common species in grasslands, especially around Johannesburg and the grasslands of Mpumalanga. During the 2005-2015 period, significant improvements were made regarding fire separation, redundancy and diversification of various safety systems, particularly for the older plants R1 and R2 . This species was formerly in the genus Boulengerina, but more recent research by Wallach et al. This species is found in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, northeast through the Free State, Lesotho, Transkei, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Western Swaziland, Mpumalanga and parts of Gauteng, South Africa. These are very shy snakes unless they feel danger or are threatened. The systems went into operation at Barsebäck 1985 and for the other plants 1989. [3] Some individuals may have a mostly black body, while others are striped. It is the largest true cobra species with a record length of 3.2 metres Although it prefers lowland forest and moist savanna habitats, this cobra is highly adaptable and can be found in drier climates within its geographical range. The ringhals, or spitting cobra (Hemachatus haemachatus), of southern Africa and the black-necked cobra (Naja nigricollis), a small form widely distributed in Africa, are spitters. All Rights Reserved. The longest known individual measured 5.85 m (19.2 ft). Unlike Adders and Vipers, elapids (cobras, mambas and their relatives) have short fixed fangs that cannot be moved or fold. It is a common species in most of its range, often found around human dwellings. The hydrogen gas is used in Ringhals 1 to cool the generators. If the venom enters the eyes, it causes great pain.