Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting a Mozambican spitter on Sunday, and am struggling to find anyone who has kept them.
If anyone has any tips, hints or advice, they would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks

I kept a pair of Naja mossambica for a good portion of last year. They were both around 4' in length, with the male being slightly more beefy in the head and overall body. The male's coloration was darker than the female's, having a more brown tone to the color with a darker head. The female seemed to have more of a silvery blue tone to the overall body, but also had a darker head. One thing that is quickly unmistakable about this species, and is similar in the larger nigricollis, is the head size to body size ratio. Like I said, mine were both around 4', but had relatively slender bodies. The head, however, was at least 2-2.5" on the male and 2" on the female (the head was always wider than the body). These cobras never really get very thick in their body, and even a 7' nigricollis, which is very closely related to mossambica, would be a relatively slender cobra (compared to a haje of the same size). They put all their mass toward their heads for a good reason: GIGANTIC venom glands. Both mossambica and nigricollis seem to be able to spit all day and ever run out of venom. For this reason, good eye goggles or a face shield is imperative when working with them. My mossambica would rarely, if ever, spit when outside of the enclosure. However, inside they were very defensive and would spit freely. Despite that, I only had one instance where either of them almost succeeded in getting me in the eyes, but it mostly sprayed across my face and mouth (some did land on the goggles though!). I believe nigricollis to be a more accurate spitter than mossambica, though I'm sure it varies between individuals.

Feeding can be tricky, depending on your individual snake. Some are insane feeders, others want you to just leave it for them. Both of my mossambica wanted the food left with them and then to be left alone. They always ate, but were never very voracious about the matter. Both my nigricollis, however, were slightly insane feeders, and if they accidentally missed the mouse dangling on the hemostats, it was time to get out of the way! They would chase anything that moved, including me, with the sole intent of envenomation and consumption. This is kind of cute when they are little, but having a 6 or 7' nigricollis that wants to chase you is a whole other matter.

Most scientists agree that the act of spitting is purely defensive. For the most part, what I noticed was. I did notice that once when I was feeding one of the nigricollis, and this was when I had first gotten them in and they were inclined to want to take live, I witnessed the snake spit at the young mouse, which had just opened its eyes, and then proceed to chase and bite. It could have very well been defensive and then the snake realized what the mouse was, but to me it looked like the spitting was something to subdue the mouse for easier catching. Just a bit of interesting information for you that you may also want to watch for.

Handling the mossambica was not bad at all. I'll put it this way, on any given day I would be more willing to handle the 4' mossambica than the 2' nigricollis. My two specimens weren't particularly flightly and were easy to control with a simple hook and tail method. As it has been mentioned before, though, each snake will be different. If you get a flighty one, tongs might be necessary. Just remember to always wear eye protection when ever dealing with the animal, including feeding or simple cleaning. The one time you let your guard down and think you can just quickly open the enclosure and throw the rat in or reach in and scoop out that poop is the time the snake will seize the moment and give you an idea of what it feels like to have your eye partially digested. In other words, it's not very pleasant and never let it happen. They say permanent blindness usually only results if the venom isn't washed out promptly, but you never know how your eyes will react, and you may be permanently fully or partially blinded even from a spray and quick wash.

Well, I hope this helped a little. I greatly enjoyed working with both my mossambica and nigricollis. The female mossambica was a stunning animal with her silvery sheen, especially when light shined on her. I believe mossambica to be a good choice for someone wanting one of the larger African spitters, but not wanting to take on the size or danger aspect of nigricollis. Good luck, and be safe!
-Chance
River Valley Snakes

Thanks man, that was invaluable.
I live in cape Town, and do catch-and-release, so I come into contact with many Naja niveas and Bitis arietans arietans.
The niveas vary GREATLY in temperament-I've had psychotic goldens, at the moment I've got a stunning speckled nivea that bit a guy who grabbed its tail 'cause he thought it was a mole snake!!!
(you can see the pics at http://community.webshots.com/s/image8/2/3/44/119320344ddUjlD_ph.jpg
http://community.webshots.com/s/image8/2/11/56/119321156MddYXA_ph.jpg
http://community.webshots.com/s/image2/2/16/94/119321694MGgHXg_ph.jpg

This speckled is a complete honey- the guy thought it was a mole 'cause it wouldn't hood. Stunning snake, as mild as anything.

I've also kept naja annulifera for a couple of years-got a 7ft one that is truly impressive. Got to watch him, though. When he strikes he moves forward at PACE.

I'm a bit wary of the mossambiccus, so your advise has been great.I've already got a face mask ...
I'll let you know on Sunday how it goes.
Once again, thanks for your time.