Identifying the Mozambique spitting cobra.

The Mozambique spitting cobra could be mistaken for a black mamba by the layman. They are very similar in colour but the head shape is different. The black mamba has a very distinctive coffin shaped head, whereas the Mozambique spitting cobra has a rounder snout. Colouration on the Mozambican spitting cobra can vary from olive, through browns and slate grey. Look for the salmon or yellow underbelly and the black bars across the neck area.

Mozambique Spitting cobra at rest

Where will you find the Mozambique spitting cobra?

The Mozambique spitting cobra likes water and will be found in most of subsaharan Africa, from Kwazulu Natal through to the Mpumalanga Lowveld and Mozambique and even in Namibia. This is the most common cobra in the area.

Mozambican Spitting cobra defensive rear of hood

How dangerous is the Mozambique spitting cobra?

There is only one snake considered more dangerous than the Mozamique spitting cobra and that is the Mamba. The Snake will always try and avoid confrontation but when threatened is very aggressive. The snake is capable of spitting it’s venom and generally will spit before any physical attack. It’s bite causes local tissue destruction. The venom when spat into the eyes can cause blindness.

Mozambique spitting cobra hooded front view

What does the Mozambique spitting cobra eat?

This cobra’s diet mainly consists of amphibians, other snakes, birds, eggs, small mammals, and even insects occasionally.

Mozambique spitting cobra spitting

Other information.

The Mozambique spitting cobra is considered nervous and highly strung, but as in all things every snake is an individual. When they feel threatened they can rear as much as two thirds of their body. They spit in defense from the reared up position and spread hood. Venom can be spat 2 - 3 meters with great accuracy.

Mozambique spitting cobra open mouth

The spitting cobra does not often actually bite despite its aggressive behaviour, and also shares the same habit of feigning death to avoid further molestation.

The average length of adults is between approximately 1 meter but speciments up to 1,4 meters have been spotted.

The  Mozambique spitting cobra will lay an average of 15 eggs, but up to 22 have been found, hatchlings measure approximately 24 cm.