Snakes do not spit, but rather squirt their venom. Pressure on the venom glands forces the venom along ducts and down the hollow fangs. At the tip of the fang, a duct more or less at right angles to the fang, directs the venom out of the snake’s mouth. The venom can be ejected as far as 2,5 meters or even further. Venom is not necessarily aimed at the eyes, but is rather sprayed in the general direction of danger or movement.
- Ejecting venom is a defensive mechanism to keep predators at bay. It is also very effective in scaring off humans that venture too close.
- As well as “spitting”, these snakes also bite and, in so doing, inject the same venom that is normally squirted.
- When you were spat out by a Mozambique Spitting Cobra on the skin, the venom will do very little or no damage, unless it enters and open wound. In the eyes, it is absorbed rapidly by small blood vessels close to the surface, and causes burning and severe inflammation. Rubbing eyes will do a lot more harm than good.
First aid treatment for eyes (spitting snakes):
- Rinse the eyes immediately with large quantities of water or any other harmless fluid such as milk, cool drink, or even beer.
- Do not attempt to neutralise the venom, but rather to flush it from the victim’s eyes.
- Also, wipe venom on the face away from the eyes.
- Seek medical advice, as it might be necessary for a doctor to rinse the eyes with serum diluted with water.
- The victim’s eyes should recover fully within 3 or 4 days, but if left untreated, the venom may cause practical blindness.