black-necked cobra
Definition
Noun: 1. A venomous African snake: The black-necked cobra is a species of spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis) native to Africa. It is known for its defensive behavior of spraying venom accurately at the eyes of a threat, which can cause severe pain and temporary or permanent blindness, rather than biting.
Usage Notes
- The term "black-necked cobra" is a common name for a specific zoological species. It is used in both general and scientific contexts to identify this snake.
- It is typically used as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The black-necked cobra is easily identified by the dark band on the underside of its neck.
- While hiking in the savanna, they spotted a black-necked cobra coiled near a rock.
- Herpetologists study the venom composition of the black-necked cobra.
Advanced Usage
- The species is sometimes referred to by its scientific binomial name, Naja nigricollis, in academic or technical writing.
- In descriptive contexts, it may be called a "spitting cobra", though this term applies to several related species.
Variants and Related Words
- Spitting cobra (n): A general term for cobras of the genus that can eject venom from their fangs. The black-necked cobra is one of the most well-known spitting cobras.
- Naja nigricollis (n): The formal scientific Latin name for the species.
Synonyms
- Spitting cobra (general term)
- Naja nigricollis (scientific term)
Related Phrases
- To spit venom: The primary defensive action of this snake. This phrase is often used literally when describing the cobra's behavior.
- When cornered, the black-necked cobra will rear up and spit venom at the predator's face.
Noun
-
aggressive cobra widely distributed in Africa; rarely bites but spits venom that may cause blindness
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