Samar cobra facts for kids
The Samar cobra (Naja samarensis) is a very venomous snake found in the Philippines. It lives on the Visayas and Mindanao islands. People also call it Peters' cobra, southern Philippine cobra, or Visayan cobra. It's a type of spitting cobra, which means it can spray its venom!
Quick facts for kids Samar cobra |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Naja
|
| Species: |
samarensis
|
 |
|
| Distribution of the Samar cobra | |
Contents
What Does the Samar Cobra Look Like?
The Samar cobra is a kind of spitting cobra. It can grow to be about 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) long. Its colors can be different. Some are black and yellow, while others are green.
How Do Samar Cobras Reproduce?
The Samar cobra lays eggs. This means it is an oviparous animal. A female cobra can lay up to eight eggs at one time.
Where Do Samar Cobras Live?
The Samar cobra lives only in the southern Philippines. You can find them on the Visayas and Mindanao island groups.
These snakes can live in many different places. They are found in mountain jungles and flat tropical areas. They sometimes live close to where people are. Samar cobras usually live at heights from sea level up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet).
What Do Samar Cobras Eat?
Like the Philippine cobra (Naja philippinensis), the Samar cobra mostly eats small rodents. This includes animals like rats and mice. They also hunt frogs and smaller reptiles.
Since their favorite food often lives near rice fields and human homes, these cobras sometimes meet people. This can lead to problems between the snakes and humans.
About Samar Cobra Venom
The Samar cobra has very strong venom. This venom is mostly made of special proteins called "three-finger toxins." These toxins make up about 90% of the venom. Other parts of the venom include proteins that can break down tissue.
The venom is very powerful. If it gets into someone's eyes, it causes a lot of pain. It can also damage the eyeball. If the venom is not washed out quickly, it can cause permanent blindness.
Samar cobras are known to be nervous snakes. They are quick to strike or spray their venom. They usually aim the venom towards the face and eyes. However, they are less likely to spit venom than their northern relatives, like the Northern Philippine cobra.
