Spitting behaviour in the Chinese cobra Naja atra

Abstract

- This study describes the ability of a captive Chinese cobra (Naja atra) to spit venom and presents a video analysis of a strike and spit manoeuvre. However, among the many specimens of N. atra raised by the author only the female examined in this study regularly displayed spitting behaviour, and then only within the confines of its terrarium. Fang morphology of N. atra was investigated by microscopy and compared with that of a ‘true’ spitting cobra, Naja sputatrix. The results show that N. atra does not have specially modified fangs so that venom is ejected downwards from the fangs, not forwards. Consequently, to direct venom at a target requires a specific manoeuvre involving a forward lunge and head rotation. This arrangement is very similar to that described for Naja kaouthia and suggests that the evolution of spitting behaviour could precede the development of specialised fangs that refine the action.