>>Does anyone know of a good site for info on Naja atra? I noticed on BGF’s site that the subcutaneous LD 50 for atra is 0.29…over twice as potent than that of the cape cobra. Is it safe to say that atra’s venom is primarily neurotoxic with little, if any, necrotic bite symptoms? Does anyone have any experience with N. atra that wouldn’t mind sharing their experience or pics? Are these snakes prone to be spitters? I’d love to hear any input from BGF or WW on this subject.



Most clinical reports on Naja atra bite suggest that most bites are necrotic (sometimes severely so), with only a few resulting in neurotoxicity. Mortality rates were generally very low. These reports are mostly from Taiwan, so other populations from China may be different. Another clear example of LD50s meaning Jack-Sh*t as far as assessing danger to humans being concerned (although there is of course the possibility, or indeed likelihood, that whoever carried out that test screwed up the ID of the cobras concerned...).



As to spitting, this seems to be an individual and/or population thing. Some specimens certainly do spit, although they are nowhere near as good at it as more specilaised Asian spitters like N. siamensis, N. sumatrana or N. sputatrix. This can lead people into a false sense of security - I know of at least one herper who thought they never spit, but got an eyeful when he played with a different specimen in someone else's collection.



As to websites, I can only really offer my own site, if you haven't been there already...



Cheers,



Wolfgang

Asiatic Cobra Systematics Page


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