When cornered, some can "spit" their venom up to a distance of 6.5 feet (2 meters). They spray the venom by squeezing their muscles on the venom glands, forcing the venom out of front openings in the fangs. The venom, although not generally fatal on contact, can cause permanent blindness if it gets into the eye and/or skin, scarring if left untreated.ĭespite their name, these snakes don't actually spit their venom. Some include the red spitting cobra, the Mozambique spitting cobra, and the black-necked spitting cobra. "Spitting cobra" refers to any one of several cobra varieties that have the ability to spit or spray venom from their fangs in defense. What predator would even try to attack a cobra? The snake's biggest enemy is the mongoose, which is quick enough to dart in and bite the back of the cobra's neck before the snake can defend itself. The message is, "I am big, bad, and will bite you if you come any closer!" The deep loud hiss of a large king cobra alone is enough to make one's hair stand up on end! This works much the same way as the rattle of the rattlesnake works: it is a warning sign that can be heard at a safe distance. Cobras are able to raise their body up, spread the hood, and hiss loudly to scare off most threats. They have specialized muscles and ribs in the neck that can flare out when the cobra feels threatened. Life in the hood. Cobras come in varying colors from black or dark brown to yellowish white. As with any venomous snake, a bite from a cobra can be deadly if not treated properly. A cobra only attacks a human if it feels threatened. The venom is a neurotoxin that stops the victim's breathing and heartbeat. They kill their prey by injecting venom through their fangs. Snakes in this family cannot fold their fangs down, as vipers can, so the fangs are generally shorter. Don't hate me because I'm venomous. Cobras are venomous snakes related to taipans, coral snakes, and mambas, all members of the Elapidae family.
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