What is the functional role of maintaining the bite capability alongside the spitting adaptation in *N. nigricincta*?

It acts as a redundant, ancestral killing method ensuring functionality if spitting fails.

The retention of the venomous bite capability alongside the specialized spitting system demonstrates evolutionary conservatism, which is often characteristic of successful biological systems. The spitting defense is a finite resource, meaning the snake can only eject a small portion of its total venom supply when spraying. If the initial deterrence fails—perhaps due to inaccurate spraying or a highly motivated attacker—the snake retains the full efficacy of its ancestral method. The bite allows for immobilization or a final defense using the bulk of its lethal neurotoxins if the threat persists after the ranged, pain-inducing deterrent has been deployed.