Rinkhals is a small to medium-sized poisonous species of snake belonging to the elapid family, occurring in some regions of southern Africa. The snake is very closely related to the true cobras particularly due to its ability to spit venom.
| Kingdom |
Animalia |
| Phylum |
Chordata |
| Subphylum |
Vertebrata |
| Class |
Reptilia |
| Order |
Squamata |
| Suborder |
Serpentes |
| Family |
Elapidae |
| Genus |
Hemachatus |
| Scientific Name |
Hemachatus haemachatus |
| Other Names |
Ringhals, Ring-necked Spitting Cobra |
| Length |
Around 90–110 cm |
| Weight |
7 to 9 kg |
| Color |
Varied colorations but, most of the specimens have a black body while some are striped; dark belly while the ventral side of the neck contains creamish, yellowish or white crossbands |
| Distribution |
South Africa, western Swaziland |
| Habitat |
Grassland, mountain, wetland, woodland |
| Diet |
Toads, mammals, amphibians, other reptiles |
| Hibernation Fact |
Undergoes hibernation |
| Predators |
Eagles, mongoose, monitor lizards |
| Venom Fact |
Neurotoxic and to some extent cytotoxic |
| Breeding Season |
June – August |
| Mode of Reproduction |
Ovoviviparous (producing young ones by means of eggs hatched inside the body of the parent0 |
| Litter Size |
20 to 35; however,65 newborns are also recorded |
| Gestation Period |
5 to 6 months |
| Reproductive Age |
2 to 4 years of age |
| Average Lifespan |
20 to 25 years |
| IUCN Conservation Status |
Least Concern |
Rinkhals Pictures Gallery
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Hemachatus Haemachatus
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Ringhals Cobra
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Ringhals Images
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Ringhals Pictures
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Ring-necked Spitting Cobra
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Rinkhals Snake
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Rinkhals Spitting Cobra
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Rinkhals
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Rinkhals Bite
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Rinkhals Snake Baby
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Rinkhals Playing Dead
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Rinkhals Venom
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Rinkhals Baby
