Mozambican Spitting Cobra

Photo credit; R. Beillfuss
We had to flush this large cobra out from under a rondavel.


Photo Credit; R. Beillfuss
Finally, I was able to catch this cobra. This is a large example of the species.


Photo Credit; R. Beillfuss
Getting to grips


Photo Credit; R. Beillfuss



Photo Credit; R. Beillfuss
In hand and safe...or was it; unfortunately we have to kill all venomous snakes found in camp....I hated doing it, but had no choice.


Photo Credit; R. Beillfuss
A small cobra (same species) caught the previous day, pictured curled up in a hole eating a frog.


Photo Credit; R. Beillfuss
This little fellow was really feisty


Photo Credit; R. Beillfuss
I am hundreds of times bigger than this snake, but it holds its ground!


Photo Credit; R. Beillfuss
Finally in hand and safe.

The Mozambican Spitting Cobra has a venom cocktail with neuro and cytotoxic properties. Next to the Gaboon Adder and Puff Adder it has the most painful bite, and the venom is deadly. That aside, people are rarely bitten by these snakes because as soon as they become aware of approaching danger, they hide. Here, in Chitengo Camp, we only see a very small % of the snakes we walk past each day. Last year 2 bites were recorded, me and a woman who works in the gardens. I was bitten because I identified a Bibrons Stiletto incorrectly (A common error, even by experts-which I do consider myself) and the woman was unfortunate to stand on a small snake that did not have time to move out of her path. I believe she was bitten by a snouted adder, which although a painful bite, is only mildly venomous.

The bottom line is that there could be serious repercussions if a really serious bite were to occur, so although I hate the rule, I do agree with why it is being enforced.