Black-Necked Spitting Cobra

The black-necked spitting cobra is one of the most widely distributed cobras in Africa, ranging across savanna, semi-desert, and forest-edge habitats from West Africa to East Africa. It is a member of the "spitting" cobra group, elapids that can eject venom through their fangs toward the eyes of a perceived threat from more than two meters away.

Coloration is highly variable across its range, from uniform slate-gray or olive to reddish or nearly black, and juveniles often show a distinct black band across the neck and throat. It is regarded as one of the more medically significant snakes in Africa due to its abundance and frequent proximity to human settlements, and its venom is both cytotoxic and capable of causing eye injury on contact.

• Adults typically 1.2-2.2 m; large, muscular cobra with a broad hood when threatened.
• Dorsal color ranges from gray, olive-brown, reddish, to nearly black depending on region.
• A dark band or blotch is often visible across the throat, especially in juveniles.
• Smooth scales, round head only slightly distinct from the neck, round pupils.
• Can rear up and spread a moderately narrow hood; distinguished from other African cobras by venom-spitting behavior and variable coloration.

Occupies a very broad range of habitats including savanna, dry woodland, semi-desert, and forest-savanna mosaic across most of sub-Saharan Africa. It tolerates disturbed and human-modified landscapes, including farmland and the outskirts of villages, and is often found near termite mounds, rock piles, or abandoned burrows that provide shelter.

Primarily nocturnal, though it may bask or move during the day in cooler weather. When threatened it rears up, spreads its hood, and can spray venom accurately toward the eyes of an intruder from a distance. Diet is broad and includes rodents, birds, other snakes, amphibians, and eggs. It is oviparous, laying clutches of roughly 10-22 eggs.