LAUSR

Dear Editor, The name “spitting cobra” leaves little to one’s imagination. Indeed, when threatened, snakes belonging this group can project their venom up to 3 m through the air to defend themselves.[1] The ultimate goal is to hit the opponent’s eyes, which causes pain, blindness, and thus confusion, so that the snake can flee.[1-3] This maneuver requires highly developed skills, since it is only effective if the cornea is hit.[4] The snakes do not actually spit but eject venom through a hole in their fangs while making a spitting motion.[3-5] Inoculation of the venom is known as venom ophthalmia, a term used for a variety of symptoms. Spitting cobras are a group of elapids that live naturally in Africa and in Asia, including India. Most snakes are of the Naja (true cobra) genus. The African Hemachatus haemachatus (ring-necked spitting cobra) is not a true cobra, but a close relative.[6]