Red Spitting Cobra

The red spitting cobra is a relatively small and strikingly colored cobra native to the dry savannas and semi-desert regions of East Africa. Its vivid reddish-orange or salmon-pink coloration, often paired with a black throat band, makes it one of the more visually distinctive African elapids.

Like other spitting cobras, it defends itself by ejecting venom toward the eyes of a threat rather than relying solely on biting. It is considered venomous and of medical significance in the regions where it occurs, though its smaller size compared to other African cobras is sometimes reflected in a somewhat lower venom yield per bite.

• Smaller than most African cobras, typically 0.7-1.2 m as adults.
• Coloration usually bright red, orange, salmon-pink, or occasionally grayish, often with a dark throat band.
• Smooth scales, moderately broad hood when displayed, round pupils.
• Distinguished from the black-necked spitting cobra chiefly by its smaller size and typically brighter red-orange base color.

Found in arid and semi-arid savanna, thornbush, and dry scrubland across parts of Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Sudan. It shelters in termite mounds, rock crevices, and rodent burrows and is often encountered near water sources in otherwise dry landscapes.

Mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, becoming active at dusk to hunt. When threatened it can spread a hood and spit venom accurately toward the eyes from a distance. Feeds on toads, small mammals, birds, and other reptiles. Reproduction is oviparous, with females laying small clutches of eggs.