24 Animals that Spit (A to Z List with Pictures)

Examples of animals that spit include Archerfish, Spitting Cobra, Camels, Llamas, and Alpacas.

Spitting animals are more common than you might think. In fact, there are a lot of that animals spit. However, there are a few creatures that can squirt viscous fluids out of their mouths to ward off predators or attackers.

While the spitting ability may not seem very beneficial, it can be a lifesaver for these animals. Read on to learn more about some of the most notorious spitters in the animal kingdom.

Examples of Animals that Spit

1. Archerfish

The archerfish is a tropical freshwater fish that can be found in rivers and streams in South Asia. These fish get their name from their unique hunting technique; they shoot down insects and small prey with a jet of water that they spit out of their mouths.

Archerfish can spit water with such accuracy and force that they can take down prey that is twice their size. They are able to do this by aiming at the stream of water using their eyesight.

When they see an insect or small animal on a branch or leaf above the water, they carefully aim and shoot a stream of water at it. The force of the water is enough to knock the prey off its perch and into the water, where the archerfish can eat it.

2. Black-Necked Spitting Cobra

The black-necked spitting cobra is a venomous snake found in Africa. As its name suggests, this cobra can spit its venom at predators or attackers. The venom is injected into the victim’s eyes, causing temporary blindness and intense pain. In some cases, the venom can even cause permanent damage to the eye.

The black-necked spitting cobra is not an aggressive snake, but it will defend itself if it feels threatened. If you see one of these snakes, it’s best to leave it alone.

3. Camels

Camels are best known for their ability to store water in their humps, but did you know that they can also spit? In fact, spitting camels are a common sight in many deserts. These animals will spit when they are agitated or threatened. The camel’s saliva is very sticky and can be difficult to remove from clothing.

Related Article: Are Camels Vegetarians?

4. Classic Llama

The llama is a South American camelid that is known for its long neck and furry coat. These gentle giants can spit when they feel threatened or agitated. Llamas usually aim for the eyes and face of their target, and their spitting accuracy is impressive.

While llamas typically only spit at humans when they feel threatened, they will sometimes spit at other llamas. This behavior is most often seen between males during the breeding season. Llamas will also spit at each other when they are competing for food.

5. Eurasian Rollers

These beautiful blue birds are found in woodlands and open countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. While they may look docile, they are actually quite territorial and will attack other birds that enter their territory.

If that doesn’t work, they will try to chase the intruders away by spitting a noxious fluid at them. The Eurasian roller’s saliva is so foul-smelling and bitter that it will usually deter predators or other birds from coming too close.

6. Fulmar Petrels

These seabirds have a gland near their eyes that produces a yellow, oily substance. When threatened, the petrels will squirt the substance at their attacker. The oil is not only unpleasant but it can also temporarily blind predators and give the petrels time to escape.

7. Huacaya Alpacas

These gentle, llama-like animals are actually the spitting champs of the animal world. Alpacas can spew a stream of saliva up to 6 feet (2 meters) with accuracy and precision. They use this skill to spit at other alpacas as a way to establish dominance in their social hierarchy or to simply show that they are not happy. When two alpacas are fighting, the victor is usually the one who can spit the furthest and with the most accuracy.

Related Article: Do Alpacas Yawn?

8. Medium Llama

These animals are often used as pack animals in South America and their saliva has a high concentration of protein. When llamas spit, they are actually trying to warn other animals to stay away.

They will also spit when they feel threatened or angry.

9. Mozambique Spitting Cobra

The Mozambique spitting cobra is a venomous snake found in sub-Saharan Africa. As its name suggests, this cobra is known for its ability to spit its venom at predators or attackers.

When the cobra feels threatened, it will rear up and open its mouth wide. Then, it will forcefully expel a stream of venom towards the attacker’s eyes. If the venom makes contact with the eyes, it can cause serious damage or even blindness.

The cobra can spit its venom up to 6 feet (1.8 meters), and it is accurate enough to hit a target from as far away as 10 feet (3 meters) away.

10. Philippine Cobra

The Philippine cobra is a spitting cobra found in the Philippines. It can grow up to 3.9 feet long and is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. The snake’s venom is highly neurotoxic and can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death.

What makes this cobra so dangerous is its ability to spit its venom. The snake can accurately hit targets up to 6.6 feet away. The venom can cause blindness if it gets into the eyes.

While the Philippine cobra is certainly a fearsome creature, its spitting ability is actually used more for defense than offense. When threatened, the cobra will sometimes rear up and spread its hood.

Related Article: Do Cobras Make Hissing Sounds?

11. Guanacos

Guanacos are a type of South American camelid, and they are the closest living relative to the llama. These mammals are native to the Andean mountain range and can be found in countries like Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Guanacos are herbivores that primarily eat grasses, but they will also consume leaves, buds, and other vegetation.

These animals have a number of adaptations that help them survive in their rugged habitat, including long necks and legs that give them excellent vision and the ability to run quickly. They are also well-known for their spitting ability.

When guanacos feel threatened, they will sometimes spit at their predators. The fluid they expel is a mixture of saliva and stomach contents, and it can be quite foul-smelling.

12. Red Spitting Cobra

The red spitting cobra is a venomous snake that is found in sub-Saharan Africa. These snakes can grow up to 6 feet long and are brown or reddish-brown in color with black bands on their bodies. As their name suggests, they are known for spitting venom at their predators or attackers.

While the venom of a red spitting cobra is not necessarily deadly, it can cause severe pain and irritation. The venom can also cause blindness if it gets into the eyes. For this reason, it is important to avoid these snakes if you see them in the wild.

13. Rinkhals

The Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) is a venomous African spitting cobra found in southern Africa. It is one of the few snakes that can spit its venom, and it does so with accuracy and precision. The Rinkhals can squirt venom up to 3 meters (9.8 feet), and the venom can cause blindness if it gets into the eyes.

The Rinkhals is a large snake, reaching up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) in length. It is brown or black with white bands around its body. The Rinkhals is found in grasslands, shrublands, and forests. It is a nocturnal snake and is most active at night.

14. Samar Cobra

The Samar cobra is a spitting cobra found in India and Sri Lanka. It can grow up to 6 feet long and is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. The Samar cobra’s venom is highly neurotoxic and can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. When threatened, the Samar cobra will often spit its venom into the eyes of its attacker, causing temporary blindness and severe pain.

15. Scorpion Flies

Scorpion flies get their name from their long, thin abdomens that resemble the tail of a scorpion. These insects are found in wooded areas throughout the world. Male scorpionflies are known to give off a sweet odor to attract mates, but they also have another method of defense.

If a predator or attacker gets too close, the male scorpionfly will squirt a stream of sticky, foul-smelling liquid from its abdomen. The liquid is full of toxins that can deter predators and help the scorpionfly escape.

16. Spitting Spiders

These arachnids can squirt a silk-like substance from their chelicerae (jaws). The silk is sticky and can entangle or blind an attacker, giving the spider time to escape.

17. Spittle Bugs

These small, plant-sucking insects get their name from the foamy liquid they produce. Spittlebugs use this spit to protect themselves from predators and the sun. When predators come looking for a meal, the spittlebugs dive into their own spit and remain there until the coast is clear.

18. Suri Alpacas

These shaggy-haired members of the camel family are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. Alpacas are often farmed for their soft, warm wool. They typically weigh between 150 and 200 pounds and stand about three feet tall at the shoulder.

Alpacas are relatively gentle creatures, but they will spit if they feel threatened. They usually aim for the face of their aggressor, as this is the most sensitive area. The spit is made up of a mixture of saliva and partially digested food. It smells bad and tastes even worse, so it’s an effective way to deter predators or people who might want to harm them.

19. Suri Llama

These animals are native to the Andes Mountains in South America and are closely related to camels. They have long necks and legs and can grow up to 6 feet tall at the shoulder. Suri llamas spit when they feel threatened or agitated. The llama’s saliva is very sticky and foul-tasting, so it’s an effective way to deter predators or ward off attackers.

20. Turkey Vultures

Turkey vultures are large birds of prey that are found in North and South America. These scavengers feast on carrion, which is dead and decaying flesh. To avoid getting sick from the bacteria-ridden food they’re eating, turkey vultures have a highly acidic stomach fluid that kills the bacteria.

When threatened, turkey vultures will regurgitate this stomach fluid as a defense mechanism. The fluid is so acidic that it can cause burns on the skin.

21. Vicuna Llamas

These gentle South American camelids are often preyed upon by pumas. To defend themselves, llamas will spit a stream of viscous saliva at the attacker. The saliva is so sticky that it can actually blind the puma, giving the llama time to escape.

22. Walruses

Walruses are large, flippered marine mammals that live in the Arctic. These animals are well-known for their long tusks and whiskers, but they can also spit. Walruses use their powerful spitting ability to deter predators and protect themselves from attack.

Related Article: What Eats Walruses?

23. Wooly Llama

The Wooly Llama is a South American camelid that is closely related to the alpaca and vicuna. These animals are often used as pack animals in their native habitat. They are also farmed for their wool, which is considered to be some of the finest in the world.

Llamas are known to spit when they feel threatened or agitated. They will also spit at other llamas that they do not like.

24. Zebra Snake

The zebra snake is a small, venomous creature found in the southern United States. It gets its name from the black and white stripes that run down its body. While it is not the most aggressive snake, it will defend itself if necessary. One way it does this is by spitting venom at its predator or attacker.

Conclusion

Spitting animals are found all over the world and in a variety of different habitats. These animals use spitting as a way to defend themselves against predators or intruders.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.