Naja ashei

In addition to the dry lowlands of northern and eastern Kenya, it is found in similar habitats in northeastern Uganda, southern Ethiopia and southern Somalia.^[2]

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Naja ashei is a very large cobra that averages 1.3 to 2m in length, and may reach a maximum of 2.8m^[3], making them the largest spitting cobra species in the world. Very heavily built with big heads, their color varies in different shades of brown from light grey through pale mustard to dark brown. The snake is pale in color along the belly, sometimes with slight speckling or blotches, and has a dark brown throat band. It has 17 to 25 mid-body scale rows, 176 to 219 ventrals, 51 to 69 sub-caudals with an entire anal scale across the vent.^[4]

Venom from this snake is very similar to other spitting cobras including Naja nigricollis and Naja pallida - both found in the same areas - but is produced in very large quantities by the snake. A single specimen milked at Bio-Ken Snake Farm in 2004, produced a wet venom yield of 6.2ml weighing 7.1g ^[5]. Recommended treatment of bites is for all true cobras: Antivenom (SAVP polyvalent from South African Vaccine Producers). The dosage may need tio be higher than for the average Naja nigricollis bite. First aid treatment for venom in the eyes should be immediate irrigation with water or any bland liquid, and the patient should be seen as soon as possible by a physician.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Record-size spitting cobra discovered, Reuters/ABC News Online, 8 December 2007
2. ^ ^{a b} World's largest spitting cobra species found in Kenya: study -Yahoo news 7 December 2007
3. ^ Taylor, R: The Biggest Spitting Cobra
4. ^ Wüster, W: Get an eyeful of this: a new species of giant spitting cobra from eastern and north-eastern Africa
5. ^ Taylor, R: New Cobra Found in Watamu