Indochinese spitting cobra: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox |
{{Taxobox |
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| name = Indochinese spitting cobra |
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| image = Naja siamensis 1.jpg |
| image = Naja siamensis 1.jpg |
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| length= 3{{fraction|1|4}}-7{{fraction|3|4}}ft max. 8{{fraction|1|4}}ft |
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'''''Naja siamensis'' |
'''Indochinese spitting cobra''' (''Naja siamensis'') also called the '''Thai spitting cobra''' is a species of [[spitting cobra]] found in [[Southeast Asia]]. |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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This is a medium-sized cobra with a rather thick body. The body color of this species is variable from grey to brown to black, with white spots or stripes. The white patterning can be so prolific that it covers the majority of the snake. Adults average {{convert|90|-|120|cm|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} long, and can reach a maximum of {{convert|1.6|m|ft|sigfig=1}}. |
This is a medium-sized cobra with a rather thick body. The body color of this species is variable from grey to brown to black, with white spots or stripes. The white patterning can be so prolific that it covers the majority of the snake. Adults average {{convert|90|-|120|cm|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} long,<ref name=oshea/> and can reach a maximum of {{convert|1.6|m|ft|sigfig=1}} though this is very rare.<ref name=wch>{{cite web|title=Naja siamensis - General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms|url=http://www.toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0045|work=WCH Clinical Toxinology Resource|publisher=University of Adelaide|accessdate=14 January 2012}}</ref> |
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This species should not be confused with |
This species should not be confused with the [[Monocled cobra]] (''Naja kaouthia''), which has similar habitat, size and appearance. |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
==Distribution and habitat== |
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It is found in Southeast Asia, including [[Thailand]], [[Cambodia]], [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Burma]]. It occupies a range of habitats including lowlands, hills, plains, and woodland. It is sometimes attracted to human settlements because of the abundant populations of rodents in and around these areas. |
It is found in Southeast Asia, including [[Thailand]], [[Cambodia]], [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]] and [[Burma]]. It occupies a range of habitats including lowlands, hills, plains, and woodland.<ref name=wch/> It can also be found in jungle habitat and it is sometimes attracted to human settlements because of the abundant populations of rodents in and around these areas.<ref name=dod/> |
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==Behavior== |
==Behavior and diet== |
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It is a primarily [[nocturnal]] species.{{ |
It is a primarily [[nocturnal]] species.<ref name=dod>{{cite web|title=Naja siamensis|url=http://www.afpmb.org/content/venomous-animals-n#Najasiamensis|work=Armed Forces Pest Management Board|publisher=United States Department of Defense|accessdate=14 January 2012}}</ref> Interestingly, it shows variable temperament depending on the time of day it is encountered. When threatened during daylight hours, the snake is generally timid and seeks refuge in the nearest burrow. However, when the snake is threatened at night, it is more aggressive and is more likely to stand its ground, rear up and display its hood and spit out its venom.<ref name=R&A/> If spitting venom doesn't work, it will strike and bite as a last resort. When biting, this species tends to hold on and chew savagely. It usually feeds on rodents, toads, and other snakes.<ref name=dod/><ref name=oshea> |
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This cobra is capable of spraying venom up to {{convert|3|m|ft|sigfig=1}}. It usually aims for the intruder's head. |
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| ⚫ | The snake is [[Oviparity|oviparous]]. The female will lay 13-19 eggs<ref name=oshea>{{cite book|last=O'Shea|first=Mark|title=Venomous Snakes of the World|year=2005|publisher=New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.|location=United Kingdom|isbn=0-691-12436-1|pages=94}}</ref> 100 days after [[oviposition]]. Eggs will hatch after 48 to 70 days depending on the temperature of incubation. Offspring are independent as soon as they have hatched. Hatchlings are 12–20 cm long and, because they possess fully developed venom delivery systems, should be treated with the same respect as adults.<ref name=R&A>{{cite book|last=O'Shea, Halliday|first=Mark, Tim|title=Reptiles and Amphibians|year=2002|publisher=Topeka Bindery|location=California, USA|isbn=0613530934}}</ref> |
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==Diet== |
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It usually feeds on rodents, birds, and small reptiles. |
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==Venom== |
==Venom== |
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Like most [[ |
Like most other [[spitting cobra]]s, its venom is primarily a postsynaptic [[Neurotoxicity|neurotoxin]] and [[cytotoxin]] (necrotizing or tissue-death).<ref name=oshea/> Bite symptoms include pain, swelling and [[necrosis]] around the wound. The bite of this snake is potentially lethal to an adult human. Deaths, which generally happen due to paralysis and consequent asphyxiation, mainly occur in rural areas where the procurement of [[antivenin]] is difficult. |
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If the snake spits venom into the eyes of an individual, |
If the snake spits venom into the eyes of an individual, the individual will experience immediate and severe pain as well as temporary and sometimes permanent blindness.<ref name=R&A/> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | The snake is [[Oviparity|oviparous]]. The female will lay 13- |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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* Mark O'Shea, Tim Halliday, ''Reptiles and amphibians'' (ISBN 957-469-519-0) |
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* [http://www.afpmb.org/pubs/living_hazards/snakes.html#Najasiamensis Living hazards - Snakes] |
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[[Category:Elapidae]] |
[[Category:Elapidae]] |
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Revision as of 18:50, 14 January 2012
| Indochinese spitting cobra | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | N. siamensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Naja siamensis Laurenti, 1768
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Indochinese spitting cobra (Naja siamensis) also called the Thai spitting cobra is a species of spitting cobra found in Southeast Asia.
Description
This is a medium-sized cobra with a rather thick body. The body color of this species is variable from grey to brown to black, with white spots or stripes. The white patterning can be so prolific that it covers the majority of the snake. Adults average 90–120 cm (3–4 ft) long,[1] and can reach a maximum of 1.6 metres (5 ft) though this is very rare.[2]
This species should not be confused with the Monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia), which has similar habitat, size and appearance.
Distribution and habitat
It is found in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Burma. It occupies a range of habitats including lowlands, hills, plains, and woodland.[2] It can also be found in jungle habitat and it is sometimes attracted to human settlements because of the abundant populations of rodents in and around these areas.[3]
Behavior and diet
It is a primarily nocturnal species.[3] Interestingly, it shows variable temperament depending on the time of day it is encountered. When threatened during daylight hours, the snake is generally timid and seeks refuge in the nearest burrow. However, when the snake is threatened at night, it is more aggressive and is more likely to stand its ground, rear up and display its hood and spit out its venom.[4] If spitting venom doesn't work, it will strike and bite as a last resort. When biting, this species tends to hold on and chew savagely. It usually feeds on rodents, toads, and other snakes.[3]Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). 100 days after oviposition. Eggs will hatch after 48 to 70 days depending on the temperature of incubation. Offspring are independent as soon as they have hatched. Hatchlings are 12–20 cm long and, because they possess fully developed venom delivery systems, should be treated with the same respect as adults.[4]
Venom
Like most other spitting cobras, its venom is primarily a postsynaptic neurotoxin and cytotoxin (necrotizing or tissue-death).[1] Bite symptoms include pain, swelling and necrosis around the wound. The bite of this snake is potentially lethal to an adult human. Deaths, which generally happen due to paralysis and consequent asphyxiation, mainly occur in rural areas where the procurement of antivenin is difficult.
If the snake spits venom into the eyes of an individual, the individual will experience immediate and severe pain as well as temporary and sometimes permanent blindness.[4]
References
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
osheawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "Naja siamensis - General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms". WCH Clinical Toxinology Resource. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "Naja siamensis". Armed Forces Pest Management Board. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ a b c O'Shea, Halliday, Mark, Tim (2002). Reptiles and Amphibians. California, USA: Topeka Bindery. ISBN 0613530934.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)