What primary venom delivery method does the Cape Cobra typically use over spitting?
Answer
Direct biting
A key differentiator in the defensive arsenal of the Cape Cobra, or *Naja nivea*, compared to some other elapids, is its reliance on direct contact for venom delivery. Unlike certain other cobra species that have developed the capability to spit venom defensively, the Cape Cobra is generally not recorded as employing this method. Its primary and most dangerous venom delivery mechanism involves a direct bite, usually reserved for situations where initial warning displays, like the hooding behavior, have failed to deter a perceived threat or intruder. This reliance on biting means that close proximity is generally required for envenomation to occur.
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Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) | Herping South Africa - Montagu - YouTube
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