Things You Never Knew About Cobras, the Snakes with Hoods

Snakes are vertebrate reptiles that belong to the kingdom Animalia. Even though a snake's body can coil into a perfect circle, it still has bones and a spine. Snakes can be told apart in many ways, whether they are venomous or not, their skin color, their behavior, their habitat, and the way they reproduce.

The cobra is one of the most easily recognized snakes in the world. When it feels threatened, it raises and flattens its neck to form a hood. Cobra snakes belong to the family Elapidae and are all venomous. Cobras in the genus Naja are called "true cobras" because of their classic features. But not all cobras belong to Naja. Snakes in genera such as Aspidelaps and Boulengerina are also called cobras.

Physical Appearance

Cobras are long and slender. They are usually dark brown or black, though some Egyptian cobras have a striking copper-red color. Most cobra species have an average length of 6 feet. Some grow even longer, the King Cobra can reach around 18 feet, making it the longest venomous snake in the world.

All cobras are known for their hood, which is why they are also called "hooded snakes." When a cobra feels threatened, it raises its neck and flattens it outward. The hood only appears when the snake senses danger and is getting ready to strike.

The monocled cobra has a distinct circular marking on its hood that looks like an eye. This sets it apart from the Indian cobra, which has a pattern on its hood that looks like a pair of spectacles. Because of this, the Indian cobra is also called the binocellate or spectacled cobra. Cobras that belong to genera other than Naja do not share these "true cobra" features.

Diet and Habitat

Cobras are carnivores. They usually hunt rodents, lizards, and birds. Some species, like the king cobra, also eat other snakes, including those of the same species. Cobras live in open lands, forests, and areas near water. They are most commonly found in the Indian subcontinent.

It is important to know that all snakes, including cobras, are carnivores and do not hunt humans. A cobra will only strike when it feels threatened or in danger.

Snakebite

All cobras are extremely venomous, they can kill prey with a single bite. Their venom glands are connected to teeth at the front of the upper jaw. These fangs work a bit like hollow needles. When a cobra bites, the venom is injected straight into the prey's body.

The spitting cobra is different. Instead of biting, it can spit or squirt venom at a threat. Did you know that a king cobra's bite is powerful enough to kill an elephant? Cobras also hiss before biting, and the sound varies between species. Cobra venom contains neurotoxins. These can cause respiratory failure and death in humans if not treated quickly. Even so, cobras do not attack people unprovoked.

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Reproduction

Cobras build nests and lay eggs. On average, a female cobra lays 20-40 eggs. The young ones hatch after about 2-2.5 months. Baby cobras are venomous from the moment they hatch. Even a newborn cobra can deliver a dangerous bite if a person is not treated quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all cobras belong to the genus Naja?

No, the King cobra belongs to the genus Ophiophagus, not Naja.

How does a cobra show its hood?

It raises and flattens its neck when threatened or preparing to attack.

What makes cobra venom dangerous?

Cobra venom contains neurotoxins that can cause respiratory failure and death if untreated.

How many eggs does a cobra lay?

A female cobra lays an average of 20-40 eggs, which hatch after 2-2.5 months.

Do cobras attack humans?

Cobras do not attack humans unprovoked. A snake only strikes when it feels threatened or in danger.

Pictures of Cobra Snakes

There are dozens of cobra species across Africa and Asia, each with distinctive markings and ranges. Below are four of the most well-known.

Quick Cobra Facts

• The spitting cobra uses its venom-spitting ability only to defend itself, not to catch prey. It bites its prey just like other cobras.
• The Indian cobra is famous in a traditional roadside show called snake charming. This practice is now widely banned under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
• The King cobra is very large, but it is still agile and can strike just as fast as smaller cobra species.
• In some countries of South Asia (including Thailand, Indonesia, and Taiwan) snakes are even eaten as a delicacy.
• When a cobra bites a human, the venom attacks the nervous system and can cause unconsciousness and paralysis. Antivenin (also called antivenom) is available to treat snakebites, but it must be given immediately for recovery to be possible.
• The Indian cobra is responsible for the highest number of snakebite deaths in South Asian countries.

Although almost all cobras try to stay away from humans, they are hunted for their skin. This could make them endangered in the future. Many programmes and protection laws have been set up to protect endangered snake species.

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