Naja Pallida Venom (Red Spitting Cobra Venom)

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).

Distribution and habitat:

The red spitting cobra is mainly found in East Africa, including Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, southern Egypt, northern and eastern Ethiopia, and northern Tanzania and northern Sudan.

It is also widespread in the dry country of eastern and northern Kenya. It primarily inhabits dry savanna and semidesert 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.

Behavior:

Red spitting cobras are terrestrial, fast and alert snakes. Adult 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.

They are also known to be cannibalistic; this could be the reason juveniles and smaller specimens are diurnal, while adults are nocturnal.

When threatened, this cobra rears up and displays a typical cobra hood. It may also hiss loudly. If the intruder does not retreat, it may spray jets of venom to the face of the intruder.

Venom in the eyes can cause burning pain and blindness. Even so, this snake seldom causes fatalities in humans.

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 and probably other snakes. They are known to raid chickens in the region.

Reproduction:

The red spitting cobra is oviparous. The female will lay 6 to 21 eggs.