Scientists have officially confirmed the existence of a spitting cobra species previously unknown to science, assigning it the scientific designation Hemachatus nyangensis. This identification was made possible through cutting-edge genetic analysis applied to a solitary sample that had been housed within Zimbabwe’s museum collections since 1982. This remarkable finding, achieved through the field of museum genomics, underscores the vast extent of biodiversity that remains undiscovered across the African continent.
The research team, which included Tom Major from the UK’s Bangor University, determined that this particular rinkhals—a type of ring-necked spitting cobra—represents an "old and highly distinctive lineage." Genetic sequencing revealed that H. nyangensis separated evolutionarily from its southern counterpart, H. haemachatus, an astonishing 7–14 million years ago. Although the museum specimen had been preserved in alcohol, which typically causes the degradation of genetic material, researchers successfully extracted the necessary DNA sequences by employing technologies typically reserved for working with ancient DNA.
The entirety of our current knowledge regarding H. nyangensis stems solely from this single individual. It was collected in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, an area recognized globally as a critical center of endemism. Disturbingly, the last recorded sighting of a live member of this species in the wild occurred sometime in the 1980s. Due to dramatic shifts in regional land use, the researchers have voiced serious concerns regarding the potential complete disappearance of the species. This discovery serves as a potent reminder of the critical necessity of safeguarding natural habitats.
The defensive ability to project venom, or 'spit,' is believed to have evolved independently across three distinct evolutionary lines within the cobra family. Scientists hypothesize that this specific defense mechanism may have developed in response to the presence of early hominids. The upright posture of these ancestors made the eyes a more accessible target for a defensive strike.
Furthermore, the venom used by spitting cobras is chemically distinct from that of biting snakes, containing an elevated concentration of phospholipase A2. This composition is designed to inflict intense pain and potentially cause blindness, functioning as an immediate deterrent rather than a lethal predatory tool. The focus is on immediate repulsion rather than incapacitation for consumption.
The ultimate fate of H. nyangensis remains shrouded in uncertainty. The scientific community is now urgently calling for immediate action to determine whether any populations of this unique cobra still persist. They stress the need to protect the remaining unique mountain ecosystems in Zimbabwe, which likely served as the habitat for this species. This finding compels a deeper appreciation for the value of every manifestation of life and reinforces our collective responsibility to preserve global biodiversity.