Head to head
Mozambique Spitting Cobra vs Black-necked Spitting Cobra
Mozambique Spitting Cobra
VS Black-necked Spitting Cobra
The Mozambique spitting cobra and black-necked spitting cobra are two African true cobras in the genus Naja that spit venom at the eyes of attackers.
| Mozambique Spitting Cobra | Black-necked Spitting Cobra | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Naja mossambica | Naja nigricollis |
| Relationship | A spitting cobra, in the same genus as the black-necked spitting cobra | A spitting cobra, in the same genus as the Mozambique spitting cobra |
| Colour | An olive to brown body with black-edged scales and a pink to orange throat and underside, often with dark bands on the throat | Usually 1.2 to 2 metres long, with a colour that ranges from all black to grey, olive, red, or banded |
| Spitting | Spits venom from its fangs at an attacker's eyes, from up to a couple of metres away | Forces venom through forward-facing holes in the fang tips, producing two fine sprays aimed at the face from 2 to 3 metres |
| Bite | Delivers a venom that causes severe local swelling and tissue death | Delivers a cytotoxic venom that causes major local tissue destruction and blistering, often needing skin grafts or amputation |
| Eye injury | Venom in the eyes causes severe pain and, without prompt rinsing, can cause lasting damage | Venom in the eyes causes severe pain, swelling, and, without prompt irrigation, corneal damage and permanent blindness |
| Range | Savanna, woodland, farmland, and villages from Tanzania south to South Africa | Savanna, grassland, dry forest, and farmland across much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Mauritania and Senegal east to Somalia and south to northern South Africa |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mozambique Spitting Cobra vs Black-necked Spitting Cobra: common questions
Does spat venom harm intact skin?
No, venom on intact skin is harmless, but in the eyes it causes severe pain and can cause lasting damage without prompt rinsing.
Which one has the wider range?
The black-necked spitting cobra, which lives across much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Mauritania and Senegal east to Somalia.
Why do they enter buildings?
Both hunt rodents and often enter buildings after rats, which brings them into contact with people.