Spitting Cobra (Naja miolepis)

I am not really that sure if this snake is a real cobra or just a mimic. It produces a hissing sound when approached.

The one featured here is a small one, about a little more than one foot in length. I trapped it using a stick and captured it for closer scrutiny. Bearing in mind that this is venomous, might bite children playing around the lawn, I decided to put it to sleep with a syringe. That allowed me to have a closer look.

From the description of snakes known to occur in Palawan, I suspect that this is juvenile of Naja miolepis, a hissing cobra that I also saw decades ago in Iwahig. Indeed it spits saliva to intruders or those that try to block its way. When I witnessed it spit a colleague, he was lucky because he had his eyeglasses on.

The spit of the spitting cobra can temporarily render its victim blind. This is its defensive behavior considering its size. Spitting at distance allows it to evade its predator.

This snake is fairly common but modification of its habitat as well as the hostile behavior of people toward snakes will impact on its survival. 

These are usually seen lying among rocks or slithering along grassland. It is difficult to spot one at night because of its dark color. It is always a good idea to close doors to prevent this snake from entering houses as they tend to occupy dark corners and nooks. Once, I had unpleasant experience seeing this snake slither its way around the room while I lie half-asleep on the floor. While snakes will prove harmless unless threatened, it's better to keep them out of human habitation.