The Mali cobra (Naja katiensis), also called the Katian spitting cobra or West African brown spitting cobra, is a species of spitting cobra found in West Africa.
| Mali cobra | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Naja |
| Subgenus: | Afronaja |
| Species: | N. katiensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Naja katiensis Angel, 1922
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Distribution and habitat
editThe Mali cobra occurs in both tropical and subtropical grasslands, open forests, savannas, and shrublands.[2]This species geographic range's from Senegal to Cameroon, with recorded sightings in Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, far northern Guinea, Southern Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Northern Ghana, Togo, Southwestern Niger and Nigeria.[1]
Behaviour
editThis species can be active both at day and night, although juveniles are only active during daytime. However, it is predominantly diurnal and terrestrial, but will often climb into small bushes. Mali cobras will take shelter under logs, rocks or in holes when inactive. If disturbed it will escape to cover with haste, but if cornered, will rear up and spread its small, narrow hood. If further provoked it will spit its venom. These snakes will bite if handled or accidentally stepped on.[3][4]
Venom
edit"This species has venom that it spits towards its opponents. The venom consists of postsynaptic neurotoxins and cardiotoxins that cause cytotoxic activity."[5]
References
edit- ^ a b Luiselli, L.; Chirio, L.; Wagner, P.; Wilms, T.; Chippaux, J.-P. (2021). "Naja katiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T13265887A126471645. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T13265887A126471645.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Mali Cobra". Encyclopedia Of Life. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ^ "Mali Cobra". Encyclopedia Of Life. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ^ "Toxinology - Mali Cobra". University of Adelaide. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ (“Western African Spitting Cobra.” Branson's Wild World, http://bransonswildworld.com/western-african-spitting-cobra/.)
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