The rinkhals (; Hemachatus haemachatus), also known as the ringhals or ring-necked spitting cobra, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is found in parts of southern Africa. It is not a true cobra in that it does not belong to the genus Naja, but instead belongs to the monotypic genus Hemachatus. While rinkhals bear a great resemblance to true cobras, they also possess some remarkable differences from these, resulting in their placement outside the genus Naja.
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Is it venomous or poisonous?
Venomous. The note covers its whole family. Cobras, mambas, kraits, coral snakes, sea snakes; all species venomous Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Naja haje — considered venomous
- Naja annulifera — considered venomous
- Naja nigricollis — considered venomous
- Notechis scutatus — considered venomous
- Hydrodynastes gigas
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Squamata
- Family
- Elapidae
- Genus
- Hemachatus
- Species
- Hemachatus haemachatus
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