Some information about cobras.
Cobras are venomous snakes of family Elapidae, of several genera. (Elapidae also include the taipans, brown snakes, tiger snakes, fierce snakes, coral snakes, mambas, and sea snakes.) Cobras generally inhabit tropical and desert regions of Asia and Africa.
The cobra's most recognizable feature is its hood, a flap of skin and muscle behind the head which it can flare, perhaps for the purpose of making it appear bigger and more threatening to predators. The cobra's predators include the mongoose and some raptors.
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest of the venomous land snakes, growing up to 18.5 feet (5.7 meters) in length. Because they are slender, however, these snakes usually do not exceed 20 kg (44 lb). The snake's venom is a powerful neurotoxin known to be frequently fatal to humans.
The mortality rate in untreated King Cobra bites is 75%. Although called a Cobra it does not belong to the same genus (Naja) as "true" cobras. The King Cobra is peculiar in that it feeds almost exclusively on other snakes, which is reflected in its genus name of Ophiophagus (Snake eater). The King Cobra is known to attack larger snakes, including pythons. In spite of the King Cobra's fearsome reputation, it is generally a shy and reclusive animal, avoiding confrontation with people as much as possible. There are many smaller venomous snakes within this species' range that are responsible for a far greater number of fatal snake bites.
The Indian Cobra or Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) is a species of venomous snake native to the Indian subcontinent. Like other cobras, the Indian cobra is famous for its threat display involving raising the front part of its body and spreading its hood. On the rear of this hood are two circular ocelli patterns connected by a curved line, evoking the image of spectacles. An average cobra is about 1 meter in length and rarely as long as 2 meters (6 feet).
The spectacle pattern on the hood is very variable as also the ground colour of the snake Indian cobras are oviparous and lay their eggs between the months of April and July. Females lay from 12 to 30 eggs in a underground nest and the eggs hatch 48 to 69 days later. Newborns cobras measure between 8 and 12 inches (20-30 cm). Newly hatched cobras have fully functional venom glands.
The cobra's most recognizable feature is its hood, a flap of skin and muscle behind the head which it can flare, perhaps for the purpose of making it appear bigger and more threatening to predators. The cobra's predators include the mongoose and some raptors.
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest of the venomous land snakes, growing up to 18.5 feet (5.7 meters) in length. Because they are slender, however, these snakes usually do not exceed 20 kg (44 lb). The snake's venom is a powerful neurotoxin known to be frequently fatal to humans.
The mortality rate in untreated King Cobra bites is 75%. Although called a Cobra it does not belong to the same genus (Naja) as "true" cobras. The King Cobra is peculiar in that it feeds almost exclusively on other snakes, which is reflected in its genus name of Ophiophagus (Snake eater). The King Cobra is known to attack larger snakes, including pythons. In spite of the King Cobra's fearsome reputation, it is generally a shy and reclusive animal, avoiding confrontation with people as much as possible. There are many smaller venomous snakes within this species' range that are responsible for a far greater number of fatal snake bites.
The Indian Cobra or Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) is a species of venomous snake native to the Indian subcontinent. Like other cobras, the Indian cobra is famous for its threat display involving raising the front part of its body and spreading its hood. On the rear of this hood are two circular ocelli patterns connected by a curved line, evoking the image of spectacles. An average cobra is about 1 meter in length and rarely as long as 2 meters (6 feet).
The spectacle pattern on the hood is very variable as also the ground colour of the snake Indian cobras are oviparous and lay their eggs between the months of April and July. Females lay from 12 to 30 eggs in a underground nest and the eggs hatch 48 to 69 days later. Newborns cobras measure between 8 and 12 inches (20-30 cm). Newly hatched cobras have fully functional venom glands.
posted by Snake Hunter at
2:23 PM
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