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Black-Necked Spitting Cobra

Black-necked spitting cobra is a species of moderate-sized venomous snake occurring mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of the largest among the other spitting cobras found around the globe. The species can be nocturnal as well as diurnal depending upon the geographic location, season, and average daytime temperature.

Scientific Classification
Quick Information

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Suborder	Serpentes
Family	Elapidae
Genus	Naja
Subgenus	Afronaja
Scientific Name	Naja nigricollis

Length	1.2 to 2.2 m
Color	Varied colorations; some are pale gray or black with reddish or yellow ventrally and consist of a broad black neck band and also often the neck consist of orange or pinkish bar; some specimens are yellowish-brown or yellow copper color with missing neck bands; specimens with deep reddish-brown color are also observed, some can even be olive brown or striped black and white
Distribution	Western, eastern, central, and parts of southern Africa
Habitat	Savanna, semi-desert, moist savanna, cleared former forest regions, especially near streams and rivers
Diet	Rats, mice, frogs, lizards, eggs, birds, fishes, other snakes
Hibernation Fact	Tends to hibernate during winter months
Predators	Birds of prey like snake eagles, banded mongoose, other snakes
Venom Fact	Consists of neurotoxins and cytotoxins
Breeding Season	Between September and December
Mode of Reproduction	Oviparous (egg laying)
Clutch Size	10 to 15 eggs
Incubation Period	70 – 90 days