How does the Equatorial Spitting Cobra typically hunt prey versus defending itself?
Answer
It ambushes and kills by biting and hanging on, reserving spitting for self-defense.
There is a crucial distinction between the function of spitting and biting for this species. When the cobra is engaged in predation—hunting for food such as frogs or rodents—it utilizes an ambush strategy culminating in a bite, often hanging on to ensure the prey is subdued. The highly specialized venom projection mechanism, or 'spitting,' is strictly reserved for defensive situations against perceived predators or threats to its life, such as humans or larger animals, and is not employed as a primary offensive tool during hunting activities.
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