Red spitting cobra: Difference between revisions
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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[[Image:Naja pallida.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Juvenile ''N. pallida'': note the black throat band, in contrast to adult coloration.]] |
[[Image:Naja pallida.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Juvenile ''N. pallida'': note the black throat band, in contrast to adult coloration.]] |
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This is a relatively medium sized cobra, attaining lengths between {{convert|0.7|to|1.2|m|ft|sp=us}},<ref name=Oshea/><ref name=Devenomized/> but they may grow maximum lengths of around {{convert|1.5|m|ft|sp=us}} in very rare cases.<ref name=Devenomized/><ref name=wch/> This is often thought of as an attractive species, it is usually bright salmon red contrasting with a broad black throat band and subocular teardrop markings.<ref name=Oshea/> However, this species |
This is a relatively medium sized cobra, attaining lengths between {{convert|0.7|to|1.2|m|ft|sp=us}},<ref name=Oshea/><ref name=Devenomized/> but they may grow maximum lengths of around {{convert|1.5|m|ft|sp=us}} in very rare cases.<ref name=Devenomized/><ref name=wch/> This is often thought of as an attractive species, it is usually bright salmon red contrasting with a broad black throat band and subocular teardrop markings.<ref name=Oshea/> However, this species have variation in from red, , pale red, brown. The body is slightly depressed, tapered and moderately slender with a medium length tail. It is slightly compressed dorsoventrally and subcylindrical posteriorly. The head is broad, flattened and slightly distinct from the neck. The canthus is distinct and the snout is rounded. The eyes are medium to large in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth and strongly oblique.<ref name=wch/> |
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===Scalation=== |
===Scalation=== |
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Revision as of 18:43, 13 January 2012
| Red Spitting Cobra | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | N. pallida
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| Binomial name | |
| Naja pallida Boulenger, 1896
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| Synonyms | |
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Naia nigricollis Var. PALLIDA Boulenger, 1896 | |
The Red Spitting Cobra (Naja pallida), is a species of spitting cobra native to Africa. This species is one of several spittings cobra in Africa. Spitting cobras do not spit their venom. Instead, they spray their venom to their enemies, and if the venom gets into the eyes, it can cause intense pain and temporary or even permanent blindness.
Description
This is a relatively medium sized cobra, attaining lengths between 0.7 to 1.2 meters (2.3 to 3.9 ft),[1][2] but they may grow maximum lengths of around 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) in very rare cases.[2][3] This is often thought of as an attractive species, it is usually bright salmon red contrasting with a broad black throat band and subocular teardrop markings.[1] However, the colour of this species does have variation and this variation usually depends on where in Africa a particular specimen is found. For example, specimens from southern Kenya and northern Tanzania have an orange-red colour, with a broad dark blue or black throat band. In some specimens we also see two or three throat bands but this is uncommon for specimens from East Africa. The ventral side is also reddish in colour, sometimes the throat area may be a creamy white. Specimens from other areas can be yellow, pinkish, pink-grey, pale red or steel grey. Most specimens will have a throat band, but this throat band will fade or even sometimes disappear in larger adults. The true red specimens will become reddish-brown in colour as they age and grow in size.[2] The body of this snake is slightly depressed, tapered and moderately slender with a medium length tail. It is slightly compressed dorsoventrally and subcylindrical posteriorly. The head is broad, flattened and slightly distinct from the neck. The canthus is distinct and the snout is rounded. The eyes are medium to large in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth and strongly oblique.[3]
Scalation
Dorsal scales on the midbody 21–27 rows, ventrals 197–228, subcaudals 61–72, subscales are paired, anal scale is single, upper labials 7, upper labials entering the eye 1, preoculairs 2, postoclurairs 3, lower labials 8 (7-9).[2]
Distribution and habitat
The Red Spitting Cobra is mainly found in Eastern Africa, including Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Somalia. It primarily inhabits dry savanna and semi-desert areas of east Africa up to an elevation of about 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) above sea level.[3]
Behavior
Adults are more commonly found at night while juveniles are active both during day and night. This is a terrestrial, fast and alert snake. When threatened, it rears up and displays a typical cobra hood. It also hisses loudly. If the intruder does not retreat, it may sprays jets of venom to the face of the intruder. Venom that gets into the eyes can cause burning pain and blindness. Even so, this snake seldom bites and causes human death, as this species rarely encounter people due to its habitat and this species is not aggressive.
Diet
This species has a wide range of prey, but they prefer amphibians such as toads and frogs, if and when they are available. However, they will prey on rodents, birds[1] and probably others snakes. Known to raid chicken runs in the region.[3]
Venom
This species, like most spitting cobra, contains a mixture of neurotoxic and cytotoxic. Bite symptoms include slight pain around the wound and numbness of lips and tongue. Although it rarely causes human death, urgent medical care is required if someone is bitten by this species.
In September 2011, a snake keeper from South Africa allegedly died shortly after a Red Spitting Cobra sprayed venom into his face whilst he and a friend were photographing the snake. It is believed that some of the venom entered his nasal passages and led to anaphylactic shock.[4]
Reproduction
The Red spitting cobra is oviparous. The female will lay around 6 to 15 eggs.[1]
Taxonomy
This species was formerly considered to be a subspecies, Naja mossambica pallida, of Naja mossambica, but is now categorized as a separate species [1]. Indeed mossambica is more closely related to N. nigricollis than to this species. The Red Spitting Cobra is closely related and forms a sister taxon with the Nubian Spitting Cobra (Naja nubiae) of northern Africa, which was originally considered a northern population of pallida before being recognized as a distinct species in 2003.
References
- ^ a b c d O'Shea, Mark (2008). Venomous Snakes of the World. United Kingdom: New Holland Publishers Ltd. p. 73. ISBN 1847730868.
- ^ a b c d Mastenbroek, Richard. "Captive Care of the Red Spitting Cobra (Naja pallida)" (PDF). Devenomized. www.devenomized.com. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Naja pallida - General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms". WCH Clinical Toxinology Resource. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ http://m.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/Snake-snapping-owner-killed-by-pet-Cobra-20110919
