SPITTING COBRAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1938, Page 9

SPITTING COBRAS

NEW ANIMALS ARRIVE AT LONDON ZOO. GOGGLES TO PROTECT KEEPER’S EYES. A number of Bft-long spitting cobras arrived recently at the London Zoo from Nigeria, and reptile house keepers had to wear motor goggles to protect their eyes whilst transferring these deadly serpents from travelling boxes to cages. Since their arrival they have spent much of their time sitting up with distended hoods spitting poison at the glass pane which separates them from the public. They are capable of shooting their poison to a distance of 10ft of more. The venom is ejected from the fangs in two sprays, accompanied by the expulsion of air from the lungs. The cobras appear well aware of the value of their spitting powers as a weapon of defence, for they invariably direct the streams of venom in the direction of the faces of their enemies. Some yearse ago one of the keepers at the zoo received the full spray in the eyes. In spite of the fact that he received immediate treatment, he suffered severe inflammation and partial blindness for several weeks. Many cases of permanent blindness resulting from this venom have been recorded in Africa. A small colony of those big North American woodland marmots, also known as woodchucks, was established about two years ago at Whipsnade, and now show signs of considerable increase. Unlike those other importations from the United States—the grey squirrel and the praire marmot —the

woodchuck is essentially a sun lover. On a dull day it casts one disgusted glance at the sky and retires precipitately to bed. In contrast to the rabbit, it does little harm to crops, although it is a big eater, and may reach a length of nearly 2ft and a weight of 121 b. It almost outdoes the fastidious cat in personal cleanliness. The deeplydug and spacious burrow always contains an annex, which is used for the storage of waste matters, stale bedding, etc., and is periodically “spring cleaned.” No particle of dirt is ever allowed elsewhere. This desirable residence may extend nearly 30ft below ground, and in the Spring is the home of from two to five young.