Black Spitting Cobra / Swart Spoegslang
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Naja nigricollis woodi
Size Adults reach an average length of 1 m (maximum 1.5 m).
Description A long, slender, pitch black snake. It is more agile and thinner than a black mole snake and when threatened, it will spread the characteristic cobra hood.
Biology This is an arid-adapted snake found in some of the harshest areas of the Northern and Western Cape provinces. It is a generalist and will eat most reptiles, amphibians and rodents. It is alert and agile and can normally evade danger by spreading a hood in an attempt to get an attacker to back off and then by rapidly retreating to a place of safety under a rock or down a hole. If escape is hindered, it will spit venom profusely at its attacker and take advantage of any hesitation this may cause to affect its escape. It is a good spitter and can spit venom several meters. If molested further, it will bite. The venom is neurotoxic and a bite from this species may cause death if not treated. If venom is sprayed in the eyes of a mammal, it may cause blindness if not washed out immediately with a neutral solvent such as water.
Distribution It occurs from the Richtersveld south to the Groot Winterhoek mountains and inland along the rocky areas of the Orange (Gariep) River to the Augrabies area.
Distribution in GCBC Probably occurs throughout the rocky areas of the Corridor.
Conservation Status Not listed.
Threats The habitat of this snake is not under much threat and there is some evidence to indicate that this species may benefit from humans as they may inadvertently aid their dispersal and provide extra food supplies in the form of rodents. It is also possible that human-induced climate change may be creating new habitat for this species to expand into.
Current studies None.
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