Naja mossambica
Naja mossambica  ( Mocambique Spitting Cobra )  [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ]
Family: Elapidae
Subfamily: Elapinae
Genus: Naja
Species: mossambica
Common Names
Mocambique Spitting Cobra , m'Fezi , Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Local Names
Mossambiek Spoeglang , Pimpi
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Countries
Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
 
Taxonomy and Biology
Adult Length: 1.20 m
General Shape
Medium to large, slightly depressed, tapered and moderately slender bodied snake with a medium length tail. Body compressed dorsoventrally and subcylindrical posteriorly. Has long cervical ribs capable of expansion to form a hood when threatened. Can grow to a maximum of about 1.5 metres. Head broad, flattened, blunt and slightly distinct from neck. Canthus is distinct. Snout is rounded. Dorsal scales are smooth and strongly oblique. Eyes medium in size with round pupils.
Habitat
Savanna, woodland and cleared areas of former forest. Particularly common in lowveld regions and frequently forages around human habitation in villages and towns at night.
Habits
Spitting cobra. Terrestrial and nocturnal, although juveniles often forage during the day. Particularly fond of water. If confronted it will raise its forebody, spread its hood and readily spit venom at the eyes of an intruder or aggressor. Rarely bites and often feigns death.
Prey
Feeds on various small vertebrates, mainly rodents, toads and lizards but will also eat grasshoppers.
Species Map
Small (Approx 20k) version
 
Venom
General: Venom Neurotoxins
Postsynaptic neurotoxins
General: Venom Myotoxins
Probably not present
General: Venom Procoagulants
Probably not present
General: Venom Anticoagulants
Probably not present
General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Probably not present
General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Probably not present
General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Possibly present
General: Venom Necrotoxins
Present but not defined
General: Venom Other
Not present or not significant
 
Clinical Effects
General: Dangerousness
Severe envenoming possible, potentially lethal
General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown but likely to be high
General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown but lethal potential cannot be excluded
General: Local Effects
Marked local effects; pain, severe swelling, bruising, blistering, necrosis
General: Local Necrosis
Common, moderate to severe
General: General Systemic Effects
Variable non-specific effects which may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions
General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
May cause moderate to severe flaccid paralysis
General: Myotoxicity
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
General: Renal Damage
Rare, usually secondary effect
General: Cardiotoxicity
Rare, usually secondary
General: Other
These snakes can spit their venom, causing venom spit ophthalmia.
 
First Aid
Description: First aid for bites by Elapid snakes which are likely to cause significant local damage at the bite site as their major clinical effect (see listing in Comments section). This includes venom spat into eyes by spitting cobras.
Details
Section 1: General first aid (for first aid of venom spit ophthalmia (venom in eyes) see Section 2 below).
1. After ensuring the patient and onlookers have moved out of range of further strikes by the snake, the bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically. The basis for reassurance is the fact that many venomous bites do not result in envenoming, the relatively slow progression to severe envenoming (hours following elapid bites, days following viper bites) and the effectiveness of modern medical treatment.
2. The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the wound must not be massaged.
3. All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be removed, as they may act as tourniquets if oedema develops.
4. The bitten limb should be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling; if available, crepe bandaging of the splinted limb is an effective form of immobilisation.
5. If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention.
6. Do not use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric shock.
7. Avoid peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration.
8. If the offending snake has been killed it should be brought with the patient for identification (only relevant in areas where there are more than one naturally occurring venomous snake species), but be careful to avoid touching the head, as even a dead snake can envenom. No attempt should be made to pursue the snake into the undergrowth as this will risk further bites.
9. The snakebite victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person (health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back.
10. Most traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision, excision, amputation, suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus), injection or instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on.

Section 2: First aid for venom spit ophthalmia.
1. Venom coming into contact with eyes can cause intense conjunctivitis with a risk of corneal erosions, complicated by secondary infection, anterior uveitis and even permanent blindness. All this can occur following venom spat into the eyes from a spitting cobra.
2. Irrigate the eye or other affected mucous membrane as soon as possible using large volumes of water or any other available bland fluid. Never use chemical solutions or petroleum products such as petrol or kerosene. Milk is soothing and can be used, or in an emergency beer or urine are possibilities. Keep irrigating the eyes, hold them under a slowly running tap for a several minutes, while opening the eyelids and rotating the eyeball. The eye will be very painful, so patience, tact and reassurance are needed.
3. The eye should be bandaged using a pad over the eye and dark glasses worn.
4. Don''t let the victim rub the eye.
5. Seek urgent medical attention
 
Treatment
Treatment Summary
Potentially severe bites, with both local tissue damage and paralysis. Admit all cases. Support impaired respiration. Good wound care essential. Avoid unnecessary surgery. For cases with paralytic features or major local effects, IV antivenom is appropriate.
Key Diagnostic Features
Local pain, swelling, blistering, necrosis ± flaccid paralysis
General Approach to Management
All cases should be treated as urgent & potentially lethal. Rapid assessment & commencement of treatment including appropriate antivenom (if indicated & available) is mandatory. Admit all cases.
Antivenom Therapy
Antivenom is the key treatment for systemic envenoming. Multiple doses may be required.
Antivenoms
1. Antivenom Code: SAfSAI03
Antivenom Name: SAIMR Polyvalent Antivenom
Manufacturer: South African Vaccine Producers (Pty) Ltd
Phone: +27 11 386-6000; +27 11 386-6078
Address: Postal address
PO Box 28999
Sandringham 2131
Gauteng Province

Physical address
1 Modderfontein Road
Sandringham, Johannesburg
Country: South Africa
2. Antivenom Code: SAfSAIBK
Antivenom Name: SAIMR Snakebite Kit
Manufacturer: South African Vaccine Producers (Pty) Ltd
Phone: +27 11 386-6000; +27 11 386-6078
Address: Postal address
PO Box 28999
Sandringham 2131
Gauteng Province

Physical address
1 Modderfontein Road
Sandringham, Johannesburg
Country: South Africa
3. Antivenom Code: SAfIBM01
Antivenom Name: Antivipmyn Africa
Manufacturer: Instituto Bioclon
Phone: ++56-65-41-11
Address: Calzada de Tlalpan No. 4687
Toriello Guerra
C.P. 14050
Mexico, D.F.,
Country: Mexico
4. Antivenom Code: SAfVAC02
Antivenom Name: Polyvalent Snake Venom Antiserum
Manufacturer: VACSERA
Phone: (+20 2) 3761-1111
Address: 51 Wezaret El Zeraa St., Agouza, Giza, 22311
Country: Egypt
 
Images
Naja mossambica ( Mocambique Spitting Cobra ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Naja mossambica ( Mocambique Spitting Cobra ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Naja mossambica ( Mocambique Spitting Cobra ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Naja mossambica ( Mocambique Spitting Cobra ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Naja mossambica ( Mocambique Spitting Cobra ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Naja mossambica ( Mocambique Spitting Cobra ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ]