This large adult, cornered under some stairs, clearly felt threatened -
it immediately raised its hood and hissed loudly.
Photographed at Portsdown Road, Singapore.
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Equatorial Spitting Cobras
are a front-fanged, venomous species which should be avoided. Though not
aggressive in nature, these snakes can accurately spit a powerful neurotoxic
venom into the eyes which can cause temporary blindness. The bite, however,
can be fatal.
There are two colour
phases: a yellow form commonly found in Thailand, and a black form found in
Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.
This is a common species
in older, more wooded residential areas of towns and cities in many parts of
Southeast Asia, including Singapore. It preys on rats and frogs, and is
active day and night.
Family : ELAPIDAE
Species : Naja sumatrana
Maximum Size : 1.6 metres
References
: H1, H2
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