Deadly spitting zebra cobra is on the loose in North Carolina

Posted on : 06/30/2021
Deadly spitting zebra cobra is on the loose in North Carolina
Science 

Deadly spitting zebra cobra which can blind its prey from 9ft away is still on the loose in North Carolina after escaping its owner sparking fear and anger among his neighbors

  • A zebra cobra escaped its home and is loose in Raleigh, North Carolina
  • The Raleigh Police Department issued an alert 1:30 a.m. EST Tuesday after the snake was spotted on a porch 
  • Animal control was called, but by the time they arrived, the snake left the area
  • Zebra cobras are known for their venom and are native to southern Africa  
  • They are considered shy snakes and only defend themselves if stressed

A highly dangerous snake, a zebra cobra, has escaped its home and is on the loose in Raleigh, North Carolina, officials said on Tuesday.

According to CBS affiliate WNCN, the Raleigh Police Department issued an alert 1:30 a.m. EST Tuesday after the snake was spotted on a porch at 5:10 p.m. EST Monday.

Animal control was called after it was initially spotted, but by the time they had arrived, the snake had left the area.

Zebra cobras are known for their dangerous venom and are native to southern Africa, including Angola, Namibia and South Africa.

Spitting cobras have been known to bite people and their venom is ‘easily injected,’ according to the African Snakebite Institute. 

A highly dangerous zebra cobra has escaped its home and is on the loose in Raleigh, North Carolina

Zebra cobras are known for their dangerous venom and are native to southern Africa, including Angola, Namibia and South Africa

Zebra cobras are considered shy snakes and only defend themselves if stressed, spitting as far away as 9 feet

Zebra cobras are considered shy snakes and only defend themselves if stressed, spitting as far away as 9 feet, according to WRAL, a local Raleigh news station. 

They are usually black or brown in color with light cross bars, and average 4 feet in length.  

Salina Locke, a veterinarian at Raleigh-based Avian and Exotic Animal Care, told WRAL that this type of cobra ‘doesn’t typically bite,’ but its venom spray is ‘very accurate and go straight for the eyes.’

She added that she does not recommend keeping this type of pet as a pet, because of the risks associated with it. 

If someone were hit with the poison, they would feel pain, swelling, blistering, and in some cases, tissue damage, the African Snake Bite Institute added 

Snakes are legal to own as pets in North Carolina, but they must be enclosed.

North Carolina state law G.S. 14-417 states:

‘It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, use, transport, or traffic in any venomous reptile that is not housed in a sturdy and secure enclosure. Enclosures shall be designed to be escape-proof, bite-proof, and have an operable lock.’

The police have not yet said if the owner of the snake, who has not yet been identified, will face charges on the matter.

If the zebra cobra is spotted, Raleigh officials have warned residents to stay away from the slithering serpent and immediately call 911. 

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