When provoked, N. mossambica will rear up, spread its hood and spit. It may also spit from the ground, without rearing, or from out of a shelter. It is also known to feign death, as many other snakes who consume toads do (Spawls et al., 2002).
Mozambique spitting cobra
These snakes reach a maximum size of about 1.5 m, the average size is between 80 cm to 1.3 m. The dorsal pattern consists of brown scales, occasionally pinkish-brown. Large adults may be grey. The ventral scales are pale brown, pinkish or grey and on the neck, throat and anterior third of the belly there is a mixture of black bars, half-bars, blotches and spots. Some individuals may only have a few small marks while others may be heavily mottled with black. The skin between the scales is black and visible, giving the dorsal pattern a 'net' appearance. The scales on the side of the head may be black edged (Spawls et al., 2002) .
The scales are smooth. There are 23 to 25 scale rows at midbody, 177 to 205 ventral scales, and 52 to 69 subcaudal scales. The eyes are medium sized with round pupils (Spawls et al., 2002).
N. mossambica has a varied diet, it is known to consume toads and frogs but will also eat lizards, rodents and other snakes (Spawls et al., 2002; Shine, 2007)
Southern Egypt south to northern Tanzania and Somalia, southeastern Tanzania south to Natal, west through northern Namibia to northern Angola. Also occurs on Pemba Island.
Mostly terrestrial but able to climb well and adults readily climb trees and sleep in them. Adults are active during the night, juveniles, during the day. When inactive, they take shelter in termite hills, holes, rock fissures and various underground cover (Spawls et al., 2002).
Coastal forests, thickets and moist savanna, below 1000 m (Spawls et al., 2002).
The black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis) can be sympatric with N. mossambica but is usually black or dark brown (Spawls et al., 2002).
Type locality: Tette, Sena [Mozambique]
The Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica) is a highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to Africa. It is largely found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
German naturalist Wilhelm Peters described this species in 1854.
In color, the snake is slate to blue, olive or tawny black above, with some or all scales having black edging. Below, it is salmon pink to purple yellowish, with black bars across the neck and ventrals speckled or edged with brown or black; young specimens sometimes have pink or yellow bars on the throat.[3][4]
The average length of adults is between 90 cm and 105 cm (3–3½ feet), but the largest specimen measured was a male 154 cm (5 feet) long in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.[4]
This species is the most common cobra of the savanna regions of tropical and subtropical Africa. The distribution includes all of Mozambique; KwaZulu-Natal, as far south as Durban; Mpumalanga's lowveld region; southeastern Tanzania and Pemba Island; and west to far southeastern Angola and northeastern Namibia. Younger specimens are much more frequently encountered in the open at daytime. Unlike the Egyptian Cobra, this species prefers localities near water, to which it will readily take when disturbed.[4]
The snake is considered one of the most dangerous in Africa. Its venom is about as toxic as the American Mojave rattlesnake, considered the world's most venomous rattlesnake. Like the rinkhals, it can spit its venom. Its bite causes severe local tissue destruction (similar to that of the puff adder). Venom to the eyes can also cause impaired vision or blindness.[4] The venom of this species contains postsynaptic neurotoxin and cytotoxin. There have been only a few fatalities resulting from bites of this species, and survivors are mostly disfigured.[5]
A polyvalent antivenom is currently being developed by the Universidad de Costa Rica's Instituto Clodomiro Picado.[6]
The cobra's diet mainly consists of amphibians, other snakes, birds, eggs, small mammals, and occasionally even insects.[4] This cobra has been reported to scavenge and eat carcasses in an advanced stage of decomposition.[7] It has been documented feeding on venomous snakes such as black mamba and has developed immunity to its venom.[8]
The snake is nervous and temperamental. When confronted at close quarters, it can rear up as much as two-thirds of its length and spread its long narrow hood, and will readily spit in defense, usually from a reared-up position. The venom can be propelled 2–3 metres (6½–10 feet), with great accuracy. This species also can spit its venom without rearing up and flare out its neck into a hood, as well as spit from very tight spaces. The spitting cobra might bite instead of spitting depending on its circumstances, and like the rinkhals, it may feign death to avoid further molestation.[3]
The eggs average 10 to 22 in number; hatchlings measure 230–250 mm.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) The Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica) is a highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to Africa. It is largely found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
