Red spitting cobra
| Red spitting cobra | |
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| File:Red-Spitting-Cobra-1.jpg | |
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| Genus: | Laurenti, 1768
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| Species: | N. pallida
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| Binomial name | |
| Naja pallida | |
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The red spitting cobra (Naja pallida), is a species of spitting cobra native to Africa.
Description
This is a relatively small sized cobra that attains lengths between 0.7 and 1.2 meters (2.3 and 3.9 ft) on average, but may grow to a maximum length of around 1.5 meters (4.9 ft).[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.[4] However, the colour of this species does have variation, which 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. Some specimens may have two or three throat bands, but this is uncommon for specimens from East Africa and much more common in specimens from Egypt and Chad. 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 it 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.[3] 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. Dorsal scales are smooth and strongly oblique.[5]
Scalation
Dorsal scales on the midbody are in 21–27, ventrals are in 197–228, and subcaudals are in 61–72 rows, subscales are paired, and the anal scale is single. There are seven upper labials, one upper labial enters the eye; two preoculars, three postoculars, and the lower labials are usually eight in number (range 7-9).[6]
Distribution and habitat
The red spitting cobra is mainly found in East Africa, including Djibouti, northern Tanzania through east and northern Kenya (not found on the coast), southern and eastern Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea, thence northwest to northern Sudan and southern Egypt. Isolated (possibly relict) populations are found in the Ennedi Plateau in Chad and Aïr of Niger. A possible record comes from northern Cameroon. Its range in Sudan is poorly known, but may be more widespread than thought.[3]
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. They can usually be found near water holes.[5] This is not a desert snake. The Egyptian populations occur along the Nile river where there is vegetation. Probably more widespread in the Sahara during recent times, when much of the area that is now desert was semi-desert or dry grassland, the remaining populations become isolated in areas that still have vegetation, such as oasis and hill areas.[3]
Behavior
Red spitting cobras are terrestrial, but may climb into bushes and low trees. Fast and alert snakes, adults specimens of this species are nocturnal, while juveniles are more active during the day. Adults like to hide in termite mounds, old logs, holes, brush piles or any other ground cover during the day.[5][3] When threatened, this cobra rears up and displays a long narrow hood. It may also hiss loudly. If the intruder does not retreat, it may sprays twin 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 causes fatalities in humans.[4]
Diet
This species has a wide range of prey, oddly enough they prefer amphibians such as toads and frogs (odd for being a semi-desert snake), if and when they are available. However, they will also prey on rodents, birds and probably others snakes. They are known to raid chicken runs in the region.[5][3] They are also known to be cannibalistic; this could be the reason why juveniles and smaller specimens are more active during the day while adults are completely nocturnal.[6]
Reproduction
The red spitting cobra is oviparous. The female will lay six to 15 eggs.[4]
Venom
The venom of this species, like most spitting cobras, contains a mixture of neurotoxins and cytotoxins. Bite symptoms include slight pain around the wound and numbness of lips and tongue. Although it rarely causes human fatalities, survivors are usually disfigured.[4] The murine IP LD50 value for this snake is 2 mg/kg.[7]
In September 2011, a snake keeper from the Eastern Cape in South Africa died shortly after a red spitting cobra sprayed venom into his face whilst he and a friend were photographing the snake. Some of the venom was believed to have entered his nasal passages and led to anaphylactic shock. His being asthmatic is believed to have contributed to his fatal reaction.[8]
Taxonomy
This species was formerly considered to be a subspecies, Naja mossambica pallida, of Naja mossambica, but is now categorized as a separate species.[9] Indeed N. 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 northeastern Africa, which was originally considered a northern population of N, m. pallida before being recognized as a distinct species in 2003.[6]
References
- ^ a b Uetz, Peter. "Naja pallida BOULENGER, 1896". The Reptile Database. http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ "Naja pallida". ITIS Standard Report Page. ITIS.gov. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Spawls, Stephen; Branch, Bill (1995). Dangerous Snakes of Africa. London, UK: Blandford Press. pp. 76–77. ISBN 0713723947.
- ^ 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 "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.
- ^ a b c Mastenbroek, Richard. "Captive Care of the Red Spitting Cobra (Naja pallida)" (PDF). Devenomized. www.devenomized.com. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ Fry, Dr. Bryan Grieg. "Intraperitoneal LD-50s". Australian Venom Research Unit. University of Queensland. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ "Snake-snapping owner killed by pet Cobra". News24. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ "Naja pallida". Reptile & Amphibian Encylopedia. www.kingsnake.com. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
