The Large Brown Spitting Cobra (Naja ashei) or Ashe’s Spitting Cobra, is the largest species of spitting cobras, at around 1.2 to 3 metres (4-10 feet) long. It is an elapid – a snake with fangs. It emits double the amount of venom from its fangs than other spitting cobras.
The Large Brown Spitting Cobra is found on the Kenyan coast. It was found in 2007 and regarded as a new species of spitting cobra. Its colour varies in brown shades, from light grey to mustard to dark brown.
Large Brown Spitting Cobra
The Large Brown Spitting Cobra can grow to 2.7 metres (9 feet). It is very aggressive.
It lives in dry lowlands of north and east Kenya, and also in Uganda and Ethiopia.
They prey on small rodents, such as small rats and mice, but also birds, lizards, eggs and other snakes.
Like other spitting cobras, it can eject venom from its fangs. The venom can cause permanent blindness if it enters a person’s eyes.
They can be nocturnal (active at night) or diurnal (active during the day).
Like other cobra species, the Large Brown Spitting Cobra is oviparous, which means that it lays eggs.
Large Brown Spitting Cobra
Large Brown Spitting Cobra
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM