How do spitting cobras spray venom toward an animal’s eyes?

Spitting cobras do not actually "spit" venom; rather, they employ a specialized defensive mechanism to eject it toward a threat.

When a spitting cobra feels threatened, it typically raises its head and the forepart of its body into a defensive posture, though it can eject venom from any position. The process involves the following:12

• Mechanism: The snake squeezes the muscles enveloping its venom glands, which forces the venom out through its fangs.12
• Specialized Fangs: Unlike standard cobra fangs, the fangs of a spitting cobra feature a canal that turns forward to a small, round opening on the front surface, allowing the venom to be sprayed outward rather than just injected.1
• Precision: To maximize the chance of hitting the target's eyes, the snake rotates its head from side to side during the ejection. This spray can reach distances of up to 3 meters (10 feet).2

The venom is specifically aimed at the eyes to cause intense pain and damage to ocular membranes, which serves as an effective deterrent against large animals.12