spitting cobra

spitting cobra
spitting cobra n BLACK-NECKED COBRA also an African cobra (Hemachatus hemachatus) that in defense typically ejects its venom toward the victim without striking

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any of several cobras that have a venom canal opening forward in the fangs, so that the snake can eject a fine spray of venom over a distance of several meters (“spitting”). If the venom enters the eyes severe irritation results, and secondary infection may lead to blindness. The group includes the black-necked cobra, the Mozambique cobra, and Naja naja sputatrix, a subspecies of N. naja.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Spitting cobra — refers to any one of several species of cobras that have the ability to spit or eject venom from their mouth when defending themselves against predators. The spit venom is harmless to intact skin. However, it can cause permanent blindness if… …   Wikipedia

  • spitting cobra — n. any of various cobras, esp. the ringhals and a small, black necked African cobra (Naja nigricollis), that spray jets of venom at the eyes of an aggressor …   English World dictionary

  • spitting cobra — noun an African cobra that defends itself by spitting venom from the fangs. [N. nigricollis and other species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • spitting cobra — noun aggressive cobra widely distributed in Africa; rarely bites but spits venom that may cause blindness • Syn: ↑black necked cobra, ↑Naja nigricollis • Hypernyms: ↑cobra • Member Holonyms: ↑Naja, ↑genus Naja …   Useful english dictionary

  • spitting cobra — any cobra or cobralike snake, esp. the ringhals, that sprays venom at the eyes of approaching animals. [1905 10] * * * …   Universalium

  • spitting cobra — noun Date: 1910 any of several cobras (as Naja nigricollis and Hemachatus haemachatus of Africa) that in defense typically eject their venom toward the victim without striking …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • spitting cobra — noun Any of various cobras of the genus Naja that can spit venom …   Wiktionary

  • Red Spitting Cobra — Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum …   Wikipedia

  • Mozambique Spitting Cobra — or Mfezi In Kruger National Park, South Africa Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • Equatorial Spitting Cobra — Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Repti …   Wikipedia

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