The hooded Mozambique spitting cobra

The Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica), also known is as the M’fezi, is one of the five snakes in Southern Africa that can spit or eject its venom. Spitting is a defense mechanism to try and deter attackers and they can spit their venom quite accurately in excess of two metres.  The snake averages about 80cm to 1,2m in length, with a maximum of 1,8m. It is brown to olive brown or slate grey in colour, with black-edged scales. When threatened, it forms a hood, exposing a salmon-coloured neck with blackish bars and blotching on the throat.

“It is capable of spitting their venom close to about 3m and can also spit from a prone position (without forming a hood). Venom in the eyes is extremely painful and the eyes need to be washed out with copious amounts of bland liquid (water is best). Victims need to be taken to a doctor who will examine the eyes and treat with local anaesthetic and antibiotic eye drops. In most instances, the eyes recover fully within a few days and cases where permanent damage is experienced are rare, provided the correct treatment protocols are followed,” said manager of the African Snakebite Institute, Ashley Kemp.

This is a common species throughout its range and often found near human dwellings, where it hunts for toads, small mammals, birds and even other snakes. It favours rocky bushveld areas and may be found in deserted termite mounds, hollow logs, animal holes and on rocky outcrops.

“In the event of a snakebite, the most important thing to do is to get the patient to the nearest hospital with a trauma unit. In some snakebite cases, people spend far too much time resorting to social media asking for advice and about anti-venom, and more often than not the snake is incorrectly identified.”

For medical advice on snake bites, the Poison Information Centre runs a 24-hour helpline that is manned by professionals who deal with snake bite emergencies on a daily basis. For assistance call, 086-155-5777.

ALSO READ: [WATCH] – Snakebite Institute offers insight on slithery creatures 

DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?

Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.

(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)