Black Spitting Cobra

(Naja naja sputatrix) Venomous

This is a highly irascible, nocturnal snake with the alarming habit of spitting venom at the eyes of its molester, often with an uncanny accuracy involving distances of up to 2 meters. The common sub-species is jet-black in colour, with a bluish black underside and some light-coloured markings on its throat. The black spitting cobra grows to a length of about 1.5 meters and feeds on amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and birds. Though commonly found in the jungle, it also occurs in and near human settlements, where it does a good service by preying on rodent pests.

It sometimes strays into gardens and houses when searching for food. When encountered, the cobra should be left strictly alone. Its bite, if left untreated, can have fatal consequences in about 1 to 6 hours.

Both sexes remain together during the breeding season. The female Black Spitting Cobra lays between 6 and 20 eggs. On two occasions, a clutch of 7 eggs was laid in June, and another clutch of 7 eggs in early July. The eggs averaged 60.5 mm in length and 26 mm in diameter. It is said that both the parents stay together to brood the eggs. The incubation period is about 88 days. The newly hatched cobras are armed with fangs and venom glands.