The deadly African snake that has its own pepper spray
Spring is around the corner and that means the spitting cobras will be waking up. This week on Snake Rescue Extra, snake expert and podcast host Nick Evans provides insight and precautions to take when treating bites and venomous spit by this snake.
September and October is mating season for the Mozambique Spitting Cobra, so this means that seasoned snake catcher, Nick Evans will be receiving regular calls for this type of snake.
Despite its name, it is not from Mozambique - if anything, this serpent is naturally occurring in South Africa and other African countries.
READ: WATCH: Black Mamba gives snake catcher the run-around in Durban home
"This snake mostly feeds on toads, rodents and other reptiles. It does not go after or hunt pets, however, if threatened by a dog or cat, it will defend itself, firstly by spitting, and in a last ditch attempt to evade death, it will bite as well," says Nick.
"This species can bite, it is actually the snake responsible for the most snake bites in this country, " he says.
Therefore, much like the black mamba, please keep your dogs away from it.
Listen to Nick Evans in the podcast below as he gives more insight on this snake's ability to spray its venom, as well as precautions to take if you are spat at...
LISTEN | READ: The snake Nick Evans gets 20 monthly calls about
Nick's organisation, KwaZulu-Natal Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, is a chapter of The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation.
Contact Nick on 072 809 5806 for information about snake removals. Email him if you'd like to find out about his educational talks.
Find past episodes from Snake Rescue below.
IMAGE CREDIT: Nick Evans