Ring-necked spitting cobra
The rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) is a venomous elapid found in parts of southern Africa. It is not a true cobra in that it does not belong to the genus Naja. While rinkhals bear a great resemblance to true cobras they also possess some remarkable differences from these, which is why they are placed outside the genus Naja.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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OvoviviparousOvoviviparity, ovovivipary, ovivipary, or aplacental viviparity is a term used as a "bridging" form of reproduction between egg-laying oviparous an...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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VenomousVenom is a type of poison, especially one secreted by an animal. It is delivered in a bite, sting, or similar action. Venom has evolved in terrestr...
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe coloration of these snakes varies throughout their distribution area. However, they have a characteristic dark belly with one or two light-colored crossbands on the throat. Some individuals may have a mostly black body, while others are striped or bright yellow/orange with dark brown stripes. Rinkhals scales are ridged and keel-like.
Rinkhals are found in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, northeast through the Free State, Lesotho, Transkei, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, Western Swaziland, Mpumalanga and parts of Gauteng, South Africa. An isolated population is centered on Inyanga on the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border. These snakes generally prefer grassland habitats because it allows them to blend in with their surroundings. Rinkhals also may live in shrubland, marshy fields, and in swamps around southern Africa.
Rinkhals are solitary snakes. They hunt by night and during the day usually, bask on large rocks. These are very shy snakes unless they feel danger or are threatened. If distressed, rinkhals spread their hood, showing their distinctive, striped neck. Like true cobras, rinkhals can spit their venom. Their spitting mechanism is primitive due to which the snake has to rear up and fling its body forward to spray its venom. They can spit their venom at a distance of up to 2.5 m (8 feet). If rinkhals can't escape danger, they may also fake death by rolling onto their back with their mouth open and their tongue hanging out.
The venom of the rinkhals is neurotoxic and partially cytotoxic, and is less viscous than that of other African elapids. When confronting a human, it generally aims its venom at the face. If the venom gets injected, it causes great amount of pain and even necrosis due to the cytotoxic effect. If the venom enters the eyes, it causes great pain. A polyvalent antivenom exists in South Africa. A polyvalent antivenom is currently being developed by the Universidad de Costa Rica's Instituto Clodomiro Picado.
Rinkhals are carnivores and have a varied diet. Their main prey is toads, but they also eat small mammals, amphibians, and other reptiles.
Rinkhals are unique amongst African cobras in being ovoviviparous which means they give birth to live young. These snakes mate from June until August. Females give birth to 20-35 young after the gestation period that lasts around 5-6 months. The young are born precocial (fully developed) and measure approximately 16-17 cm in length. They are completely independent at birth and don't receive parental care.
Rinkhals suffer from habitat loss which is caused by residential and commercial development.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Rinkhals total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
