The Rinkhals also called the Ringhals or Ring-necked Spitting Cobra

Spitting cobra

A spitting cobra is one of several species of cobras that have the ability to eject venom from their fangs when defending themselves against predators. The sprayed venom is harmless to intact skin...

(Hemachatus haemachatus) is a venomous

Venomous snake

"Poisonous snake" redirects here. For true poisonous snakes, see Rhabdophis.Venomous snakes are snakes which have venom glands and specialized teeth for the injection of venom...

 elapid

Elapidae

Elapidae is a family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, terrestrially in Asia, Australia, Africa, North America and South America and aquatically in the Pacific and Indian Oceans...

 species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 found in parts of southern Africa. It is not a true cobra

Cobra

Cobra is a venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae. However, not all snakes commonly referred to as cobras are of the same genus, or even of the same family. The name is short for cobra capo or capa Snake, which is Portuguese for "snake with hood", or "hood-snake"...

 in that it is monotypic and does not belong in the genus Naja

Naja

Naja is a genus of venomous elapid snakes. Although there are several other genera that share the common name, Naja are the most recognized and most widespread group of snakes commonly known as cobras. The genus Naja consists of 20 to 22 species, but has undergone several taxonomic revisions in...

, but is closely related and is considered to be one of the true spitting cobras..

Description

Coloration varies throughout its distribution area but characteristic of the species is that the belly is dark and there are 1-2 light coloured crossbands on the throat.Average length is 90 - 110cm. Some individuals may have a mostly black body while others are striped. Rinkhals scales are distinct from that of true cobras in that they are ridged and keel-like.

Scale pattern and distribution

Scalation

Snake scales

Snakes, like other reptiles, have a skin covered in scales. Snakes are entirely covered with scales or scutes of various shapes and sizes. Scales protect the body of the snake, aid it in locomotion, allow moisture to be retained within, alter the surface characteristics such as roughness to aid in...

:

• 17 -19 Dorsal scales
  Dorsal scales
  In snakes, the dorsal scales are the longitudinal series of plates that encircle the body, but do not include the ventral scales.When counting dorsal scales, numbers are often given for three points along the body, for example 19:21:17...
  
   on the midbody
• 116-150 Ventrals
  Ventral scales
  In snakes, the ventral scales are the enlarged and transversely elongated scales that extend down the underside of the body from the neck to the anal scale. When counting them, the first is the anteriormost ventral scale that contacts the paraventral row of dorsal scales on either side...
  
  
• 30-47 Subcaudals
  Subcaudal scales
  In snakes, the subcaudal scales are the enlarged plates on the underside of the tail. These scales may be either single or divided and are preceded by the anal scale....
  
  
• Subscales are paired
• Analscale is entire
• 7 Upper labials
• 3+4 Upper labials entering the eye
• 1 Preoculair  (rarely up to 3)
• 3 Postoclurairs
• 8-9 Lower labials

Distribution

Southern Cape province of South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

, N.E through the Free State, Lesotho

Lesotho

Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...

, Transkei

Transkei

The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...

, Kwazulu Natal,South Africa, Western Swaziland

Swaziland

Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...

 and parts of Gauteng

Gauteng

Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...

, South Africa. An isolated population is centered around Inyanga on the Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...

 / Mozambique

Mozambique

Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...

 border.

Behaviour and diet

The Rinkhals has eclectic tastes. Its main prey is toads, but it also eats small mammals

Mammal

Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...

, amphibians

Amphibian

Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...

, and other reptiles. Like several other snakes, the Rinkhals is also known for its ability to play dead.

Venom

The venom

Venom

Venom is the general term referring to any variety of toxins used by certain types of animals that inject it into their victims by the means of a bite or a sting...

 of the Rinkhals is neurotoxic and partially cytotoxic

Cytotoxicity

Cytotoxicity is the quality of being toxic to cells. Examples of toxic agents are a chemical substance, an immune cell or some types of venom .-Cell physiology:...

. The venom of this species is less viscous than that of other African elapids. It generally aims its venom at the face. If the venom enters the eyes it causes great pain.

Symptoms of a bite

Local symptoms of swelling / bruising is reported in about 25% of cases. General symptoms of drowsiness, nausea

Nausea

Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...

, vomiting, violent abdominal pain, cramps and vertigo

Vertigo (medical)

Vertigo is a type of dizziness, where there is a feeling of motion when one is stationary. The symptoms are due to a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear...

 often occur, as does a mild pyrexial reaction.

Defensive behaviour

When distressed the Rinkhals spreads its hood, showing its distinctive striped neck. The Rinkhals is a spitting snake, and can spray its venom up to 2.5m. Its spitting mechanism is primitive and it has to rear up and fling its body forward in order to spray its venom. It is also known to fake death by rolling onto its back with its mouth agape.

Habitat

The Rinkhals generally prefers grassland

Grassland

Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...

 habitats because it makes them blend in with the surroundings. Rinkhals also may live in swamps around Southern Africa

Southern Africa

Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...

.

Interesting facts

• The Rinkhals is one of the few snakes on Earth that, when sensing a predator is near, will pretend to be dead.

• The Rinkhals is not in the same genus
  Genus
  In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
  
   as other "true" cobras, it is in fact monotypic and not in the genus Naja
  Naja
  Naja is a genus of venomous elapid snakes. Although there are several other genera that share the common name, Naja are the most recognized and most widespread group of snakes commonly known as cobras. The genus Naja consists of 20 to 22 species, but has undergone several taxonomic revisions in...
  
  . Nevertheless, many experts consider it to be one of the true "spitters" - as spitting goes among snakes.

• Rinkhals are unique amongst African cobras in being ovoviviparous
  Ovoviviparity
  Ovoviviparity, ovovivipary, or ovivipary, is a mode of reproduction in animals in which embryos develop inside eggs that are retained within the mother's body until they are ready to hatch...
  
  . They give birth to 20-35 young, but as many as 65 babies have been recorded.