Mozambique Spitting Cobra

The Mozambique spitting cobra adds a remarkable capability to the standard cobra threat display: it can accurately spit venom up to 3 meters, targeting the eyes of perceived threats. This ranged chemical weapon transforms the warning dynamic. Other venomous snakes must make contact to prove their threat is real; spitting cobras can demonstrate capability from a distance without committing to close combat. The target experiences immediate burning, potential blindness, and very real proof of the snake's dangerous nature—while the snake remains safely distant.

This projection capability changes the economics of honest signaling. Traditional venomous snakes face a trade-off: retreat (preserving venom but possibly encouraging pursuit) or strike (proving capability but expending resources and risking injury). The spitting cobra can deliver proof-of-capability at minimal risk, making deterrence more sustainable. A single cobra can deter many potential predators across its lifetime rather than investing heavily in a few defensive strikes.

For business strategy, spitting cobras illustrate the value of 'warning shots' that demonstrate capability without full commitment. Antitrust regulators who announce investigations before filing suit, companies that file provisional patents before full applications, or firms that launch limited competitive responses to signal broader capability all follow this pattern. The goal is proving capacity to deliver while preserving resources for situations requiring full commitment.

The venom itself is specially adapted for spitting: more cytotoxic (tissue-damaging) than typical cobra neurotoxin, optimized for eye contact rather than systemic circulation. This specialization demonstrates how weapons evolve toward their most common use case. Defensive venom needs different properties than hunting venom, and evolution optimized accordingly.