ON THE SPITTING BEHAVIOR IN COBRAS (SERPENTES, ELAPIDAE)

'Spitting' behaviour was examined in selected taxa of Naja and Hemacha tus. A description of the kinematics and variations of spitting in eac h species was generated from the analysis of videotape records of over 400 spits. Interspecific variation was noted in the spitting behaviou r. Intraspecific variation ranged from very stereotypic spitting in N. siamensis, and H. haemachatus, to N. pallida and N. mossambica in whi ch every aspect of the behaviour was variable. A striking lunge and ex halant burst of air may occur as part of the spitting behaviour, but a re not essential agents in venom spitting.