The Philippine cobra (Naja philippinensis) also called Philippine spitting cobra or northern Philippine cobra, is a stocky, highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to the northern regions of the Philippines. The Philippine cobra is called ulupong in Tagalog, carasaen in Ilocano.
Naja philippinensis was described by American herpetologist Edward Harrison Taylor in 1922. The generic name naja is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word nāgá (नाग) meaning "cobra". The specific epithet philippinensis is Latin and literally means "from the Philippine Islands".[3]
Description
The Philippine cobra is a stocky snake of medium length with long cervical ribs capable of expanding, so when threatened, a hood can be formed. The average length of this species is 1.0 metre (3.3 ft).[4] The species can grow to lengths of 1.6 metres (5.2 ft)[4] However, subpopulations of the species, particularly specimens from Mindoro Island, are said to attain lengths of 2 metres (6.6 ft), but these are unconfirmed claims. If true, however, 2 m would be very rare and would be considered the absolute maximum for this species.[5] The head is elliptical, depressed, slightly distinct from neck with a short, rounded snout and large nostrils. The eyes are moderate in size with dark brown and round pupils, typical of other cobra species and similar to other elapids in general. It has a fairly stocky build for an elapid, and adult snakes are uniformly light to medium brown, while the juveniles tend to be a darker brown in color.[4] They have 23-27 scale rows around the neck and 21 just above the middle part of the body; 182-193 ventrals, 36-49 subcaudals, and basal pairs are sometimes undivided.[4][6]
Scalation
There are 23-27 (usually 25) scale rows around neck, 21 (rarely 23) just ahead of mid-body; 182-193 ventrals, 36-49 subcaudals, basal pairs sometimes undivided.[7]
Distribution and habitat
The Philippine cobra occurs mostly in the northern regions of the Philippines. They can be found on the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Catanduanes, and Masbate. This species likely may occur in other neighboring islands, but this remains unconfirmed. Records from the Calamianes group and Palawan require confirmation.[8]
The Philippine cobra's habitat include low-lying plains and forested regions,[4] along with open fields, grasslands, dense jungle, agricultural fields, and human settlements. This species of cobra is particularly fond of water, so it can be found very close to ponds, rivers, or large puddles of water.[4][9]
Diet
This species feeds predominantly on small mammals, frogs, and even other snakes.[4] Small rodents such as mice and small rats are their preferred prey and make up the majority of their diets. However, they will also eat other sizable snakes, small lizards, frogs, eggs, and when the opportunity arises, small birds.[5][6]
Predators
Predators of this species include humans, birds of prey, the king cobra, and the mongoose.[9] Large rats that have been bitten by this snake and are in a position to fight back, often do so. Although rare, large rats have been known to fatally wound the snake by scratching, biting, or even poking one or both of the snake's eyes out. Of course, the rat ends up succumbing to the venom, but the snake will often sustain eye injury, potentially becoming blind, and severe bites to the snout region leave the snake vulnerable to infections and diseases.[5]
Venom
Although venom toxicity values can vary greatly even among specimens of the same species, the Philippine cobra is considered to possess one of the more toxic venoms among the Naja (cobra) species. According to Tan et al., the murineLD50 via the IV route for this species is 0.18 mg/kg (0.11-0.3 mg/kg).[10] Data on venom yield of 150 milked N. philippinensis specimens (69 males; 81 females) gave an overall average venom yield per cobra per extraction of 0.33 ml (wet) or 70.1 mg (dried).[11]
The venom of the Philippine cobra is a potent postsynaptic neurotoxin which affects respiratory function and can cause neurotoxicity and respiratory paralysis, as the neurotoxins interrupt the transmission of nerve signals by binding to the neuromuscular junctions near the muscles. Research has shown its venom is purely a neurotoxin, with no apparent necrotizing components and no cardiotoxins.[12] These snakes are capable of accurately spitting their venom at a target up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) away. The symptoms of a bite might include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.[13] Bites by the Philippine cobra produce prominent neurotoxicity with minimal to no local signs. A study of 39 patients envenomed by the Philippine cobra was conducted in 1988. Neurotoxicity occurred in 38 cases and was the predominant clinical feature. Complete Respiratory failure developed in 19 patients, and was often rapid in onset; in three cases, apnea occurred within just 30 minutes of the bite. There were two deaths, both in patients who were moribund upon arrival at the hospital. Three patients developed necrosis, and 14 individuals with systemic symptoms had no local swelling at all. Both cardiotoxicity and reliable nonspecific signs of envenoming were absent. Bites by the Philippine cobra produce a distinctive clinical picture characterized by severe neurotoxicity of rapid onset and minimal local tissue damage.[12]
References
^ ab"Naja philippinensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucn.org. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
^Wüster, Wolfgang (1996). "Taxonomic changes and toxinology: Systematic revisions of the Asiatic cobras (Naja naja species complex)" (PDF). Toxicon. 34 (4): 399–406. doi:10.1016/0041-0101(95)00139-5. PMID 8735239. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
^ abWüster, W. & R.S. Thorpe (1990) Systematics and biogeography of the Asiatic cobra (Naja naja) species complex in the Philippine Islands. In G. Peters & R. Hutterer (Eds.), Vertebrates in the Tropics: 333-344. Museum A. Koenig, Bonn (Naja naja) species complex in the Philippine Islands
^Wong, KY; Tan, CH; Tan, NH (3 January 2019). "Venom and Purified Toxins of the Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) from Pakistan: Insights into Toxicity and Antivenom Neutralization". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 94 (6): 1392–1399. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.15-0871. PMC4889763. PMID 27022154.
^Salafranca, ES (1972). "Venom yields of the Philippine cobra, Naja naja philippinensis" (PDF). Zoologica. 57 (3): 127–134. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
^ abWatt, G.; Padre L; Tuazon L; Theakston RD; Laughlin L. (September 1988). "Bites by the Philippine cobra (Naja naja philippinensis): prominent neurotoxicity with minimal local signs". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 39 (3): 306–11. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.1988.39.306. PMID 3177741.
Lutz, M. (2006) Die Kobras des philippinischen Archipels - Teil I: Die Philippinen-Kobra, Naja philippinensis Taylor, 1922, Sauria, Berlin, 28 (3): 31-37
January 07, 2023
philippine, cobra, naja, philippinensis, also, called, philippine, spitting, cobra, northern, stocky, highly, venomous, species, spitting, cobra, native, northern, regions, philippines, called, ulupong, tagalog, carasaen, ilocano, conservation, statusnear, thr. The Philippine cobra Naja philippinensis also called Philippine spitting cobra or northern Philippine cobra is a stocky highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to the northern regions of the Philippines The Philippine cobra is called ulupong in Tagalog carasaen in Ilocano Philippine cobraConservation statusNear Threatened IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix II CITES 2 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ReptiliaOrder SquamataSuborder SerpentesFamily ElapidaeGenus NajaLaurenti 1768Species N philippinensisBinomial nameNaja philippinensisTaylor 1922 1 3 Distribution of the Philippine cobra Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 2 1 Scalation 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Diet 5 Predators 6 Venom 7 References 8 External linksTaxonomy EditNaja philippinensis was described by American herpetologist Edward Harrison Taylor in 1922 The generic name naja is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word naga न ग meaning cobra The specific epithet philippinensis is Latin and literally means from the Philippine Islands 3 Description EditThe Philippine cobra is a stocky snake of medium length with long cervical ribs capable of expanding so when threatened a hood can be formed The average length of this species is 1 0 metre 3 3 ft 4 The species can grow to lengths of 1 6 metres 5 2 ft 4 However subpopulations of the species particularly specimens from Mindoro Island are said to attain lengths of 2 metres 6 6 ft but these are unconfirmed claims If true however 2 m would be very rare and would be considered the absolute maximum for this species 5 The head is elliptical depressed slightly distinct from neck with a short rounded snout and large nostrils The eyes are moderate in size with dark brown and round pupils typical of other cobra species and similar to other elapids in general It has a fairly stocky build for an elapid and adult snakes are uniformly light to medium brown while the juveniles tend to be a darker brown in color 4 They have 23 27 scale rows around the neck and 21 just above the middle part of the body 182 193 ventrals 36 49 subcaudals and basal pairs are sometimes undivided 4 6 Scalation Edit There are 23 27 usually 25 scale rows around neck 21 rarely 23 just ahead of mid body 182 193 ventrals 36 49 subcaudals basal pairs sometimes undivided 7 Distribution and habitat EditThe Philippine cobra occurs mostly in the northern regions of the Philippines They can be found on the islands of Luzon Mindoro Catanduanes and Masbate This species likely may occur in other neighboring islands but this remains unconfirmed Records from the Calamianes group and Palawan require confirmation 8 The Philippine cobra s habitat include low lying plains and forested regions 4 along with open fields grasslands dense jungle agricultural fields and human settlements This species of cobra is particularly fond of water so it can be found very close to ponds rivers or large puddles of water 4 9 Diet EditThis species feeds predominantly on small mammals frogs and even other snakes 4 Small rodents such as mice and small rats are their preferred prey and make up the majority of their diets However they will also eat other sizable snakes small lizards frogs eggs and when the opportunity arises small birds 5 6 Predators EditPredators of this species include humans birds of prey the king cobra and the mongoose 9 Large rats that have been bitten by this snake and are in a position to fight back often do so Although rare large rats have been known to fatally wound the snake by scratching biting or even poking one or both of the snake s eyes out Of course the rat ends up succumbing to the venom but the snake will often sustain eye injury potentially becoming blind and severe bites to the snout region leave the snake vulnerable to infections and diseases 5 Venom EditAlthough venom toxicity values can vary greatly even among specimens of the same species the Philippine cobra is considered to possess one of the more toxic venoms among the Naja cobra species According to Tan et al the murine LD50 via the IV route for this species is 0 18 mg kg 0 11 0 3 mg kg 10 Data on venom yield of 150 milked N philippinensis specimens 69 males 81 females gave an overall average venom yield per cobra per extraction of 0 33 ml wet or 70 1 mg dried 11 The venom of the Philippine cobra is a potent postsynaptic neurotoxin which affects respiratory function and can cause neurotoxicity and respiratory paralysis as the neurotoxins interrupt the transmission of nerve signals by binding to the neuromuscular junctions near the muscles Research has shown its venom is purely a neurotoxin with no apparent necrotizing components and no cardiotoxins 12 These snakes are capable of accurately spitting their venom at a target up to 3 metres 9 8 ft away The symptoms of a bite might include headache nausea vomiting abdominal pain diarrhea dizziness and difficulty breathing 13 Bites by the Philippine cobra produce prominent neurotoxicity with minimal to no local signs A study of 39 patients envenomed by the Philippine cobra was conducted in 1988 Neurotoxicity occurred in 38 cases and was the predominant clinical feature Complete Respiratory failure developed in 19 patients and was often rapid in onset in three cases apnea occurred within just 30 minutes of the bite There were two deaths both in patients who were moribund upon arrival at the hospital Three patients developed necrosis and 14 individuals with systemic symptoms had no local swelling at all Both cardiotoxicity and reliable nonspecific signs of envenoming were absent Bites by the Philippine cobra produce a distinctive clinical picture characterized by severe neurotoxicity of rapid onset and minimal local tissue damage 12 References Edit a b Naja philippinensis The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species www iucn org Retrieved 7 January 2012 Appendices CITES cites org Retrieved 2022 01 14 a b Naja philippinensis Taylor 1922 The Reptile Database reptile database org Retrieved 7 January 2012 a b c d e f g Naja philippinensis Clinical Toxinology Resource The University of Adelaide Retrieved 1 December 2011 a b c Lutz M 2006 Die Kobras des philippinischen Archipels Teil I Die Philippinen Kobra Naja philippinensis Taylor 1922 Sauria 28 3 5 11 a b Wuster Wolfgang 1993 A century of confusion Asiatic cobras revisited PDF Vivarium 4 4 14 18 Retrieved 1 December 2011 Bangor University Open Days Wuster Wolfgang 1996 Taxonomic changes and toxinology Systematic revisions of the Asiatic cobras Naja naja species complex PDF Toxicon 34 4 399 406 doi 10 1016 0041 0101 95 00139 5 PMID 8735239 Retrieved 1 December 2011 a b Wuster W amp R S Thorpe 1990 Systematics and biogeography of the Asiatic cobra Naja naja species complex in the Philippine Islands In G Peters amp R Hutterer Eds Vertebrates in the Tropics 333 344 Museum A Koenig Bonn Naja naja species complex in the Philippine Islands Wong KY Tan CH Tan NH 3 January 2019 Venom and Purified Toxins of the Spectacled Cobra Naja naja from Pakistan Insights into Toxicity and Antivenom Neutralization The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 94 6 1392 1399 doi 10 4269 ajtmh 15 0871 PMC 4889763 PMID 27022154 Salafranca ES 1972 Venom yields of the Philippine cobra Naja naja philippinensis PDF Zoologica 57 3 127 134 Retrieved 7 November 2022 a b Watt G Padre L Tuazon L Theakston RD Laughlin L September 1988 Bites by the Philippine cobra Naja naja philippinensis prominent neurotoxicity with minimal local signs The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 39 3 306 11 doi 10 4269 ajtmh 1988 39 306 PMID 3177741 Envenomation and TreatmentExternal links EditU S Naval Medical Research Naja philippinensis Naja philippinensis Mario Lutz s HerpaWorld Institute Wolfgang Wuster s Asiatic Cobra Page Lutz M 2006 Die Kobras des philippinischen Archipels Teil I Die Philippinen Kobra Naja philippinensis Taylor 1922 Sauria Berlin 28 3 31 37 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Philippine cobra amp oldid 1120551598, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
