Mozambican Cobra - Naja
mossambica
Mozambican cobra also called
spitting cobra is among the few snakes which can spit venom. This
behaviour is purely defensive and is not used to kill prey. Spitting
cobras kill their prey by injecting venom with a bite just as other
venomous snakes do. Spitting is a better defence than biting because
they can injure the predator without coming too close to it.
Botswana's dry lands boast more than
70 species of snakes, including three species of spitting cobra.
Snakes are fairly common in the Okavango, but they generally don't
bother humans.
Spitting Cobras have a wide variety
of habitats where they occur. They can be found in ticket and moist
savannah at low altitude, in coastal forests, bush and thorn fields,
sometimes in semi dessert areas, and rocky areas. It is often found
near permanent water holes. Mozambique Spitting Cobras are often
found close to humans in city parks, and gardens were they look
for rats that often can be found at trash stacks in gardens. Adult
Mozambique Spitting Cobras are mostly nocturnal but can be found
by day sun bathing close to there hiding spot, Juveniles are often
diurnal, presumably to avoid food competition with adult or to avoid
being eaten by adults. Mozambique Spitting Cobras search for shelter
in hollow logs, under rocks, termite mounts, holes under ground
and under thick bushes.
|
