Beware Black Spitting Cobra: 30 Minutes to Live After Deadly Bite
By Our Health Reporter
Nigerians have been warned to steer clear of the Black African Spitting Cobra, a highly lethal snake unique to Africa that can kill within 30 minutes of a bite.
Experts say the snake, pictured below, is not found in Europe, the United States, Canada, or South America, meaning overseas doctors and bloggers lack experience treating its venom.
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“Do not be deceived by diaspora health tips online,” cautioned a wildlife specialist who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Black Spitting Cobra is considered the most dangerous cobra species on earth, with high death rates even in India, where cobras are common.
Only lions and horses have documented survival records from its bites.
Anti-venom is produced by injecting horses with the cobra’s venom, allowing the animals to endure severe pain and paralysis before harvesting their blood, which develops venom-fighting antibodies.
However, much of the available anti-venom originates from less potent Indian cobras, making it slower and less effective against the African variant.
“This means survival chances for bite victims in Nigeria and other African countries remain very slim,” the specialist added.
Traditional remedies promoted online work only for less venomous snakes and are useless against this species.
Health authorities urge Nigerians to avoid contact with the Black Spitting Cobra at all costs, as it delivers a virtual death sentence without immediate professional intervention.
The deadly Black African Spitting Cobra, responsible for rapid fatalities across Africa.
