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Family : ELAPIDAE
Species : Naja siamensis
Maximum Size : Typically to 1.2 metres total length
Naja
siamensis (Indochinese Spitting Cobra, Black-and-white Spitting Cobra)
occurs in parts of south-eastern Myanmar, Thailand (excluding most of
peninsular Thailand), Cambodia, southern Laos and southern Vietnam (Stuart
et al, 2012).
It inhabits forested, farmland and disturbed habitats in the lowlands
and hills.
This snake is heavily hunted and traded in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos for
use in traditional Chinese medicine and other uses (Stuart et al, 2012).
This spitting cobra can be distinguished from other 'spitters' by the
distinctive shape of the markings on the rear of the raised hood (see Figure
4), which generally comprise two 'eyes' joined by an inverted, horseshoe-shaped
marking; these markings may be quite obvious in some specimens, but hard to
see or even absent in others.
Its body colour is highly variable, ranging from dark grey to brownish, with
variable, and sometimes extensive, white colouration. Figure 4 is a
yellowish juvenile (estimated total length of 30 cm) from Siem Reap,
Cambodia.
This snake appears to consume a range of rodent and other prey. Hodges (2012)
documented a juvenile Naja siamensis consuming a small
Hypsiscopus plumbea (Grey Water Snake).
Fig 1 : Example from mixed, lowland habitats in Phetchaburi province, Thailand.
Fig 2 : Rear of the raised hood showing the distinctive markings by
which the species can be identified.
Fig 3 : Lowland habitats in Phetchaburi province, Thailand, comprising
karst limestone outcrops, dry deciduous forest and managed grassland.
Figs 1 to 3 images thanks to Charles Currin.
Fig 4 : Head and neck of a juvenile of estimated 30 cm total length,
from Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo thanks to Derek Clark.
References
:
Hodges, Cameron W. (2021). Naja Siamensis (Indo-Chinese Spitting
Cobra). Diet. Herpetological Review 52 (2): 427.
Stuart, B., Thy, N., Chan-Ard, T., Nguyen, T.Q. & Bain, R. (2012). Naja
siamensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012:
e.T177488A1488437.
Links :
Reptile Database
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