The Indian Cobra
AKA Naja Naja of India, Pakistan, and Shri lanka
Features of the Indian cobra
The Indian Cobra is a medium sized snake growing up to 5 feet long (1.5 meters). Coloration is yellowish to olive to dark brown. Its head is small and delicate looking with alert, round eyes. The body is moderately slender and the tale is tapered. When alerted or threatened the snake spreads its hood to show 2 black spots resembling eyes to scare off anything that could do harm. This feature gives it its alternate name, the speckled cobra.
Did You Know...
The Indian Cobra is favored of most snake charmers. When they lift the lid on the basket, the snake is alerted by the sudden flood of light and rises up to spread its hood. The snake is deaf to most airborne noise and sways as a result of the movement of the instrument not the music.
The Dangers of the Indian Cobra
The Indian Cobra is a very dangerous snake as it is highly venomous. The snake is most active in the evening and preys on rodents, frogs, and other small creatures. When threatened, the snake doesn't strike right away it prefers to do a threat display with some sharp hisses warning any threats to back off. When the serpent hunts, it strikes its prey in a downward direction. The hollow, front fangs inject paralyzing venom right away. The cobra may chew a couple times to inject more venom. Small prey die quickly while larger prey are released and trailed as very few can survive the lethal injections this snakes gives.
Did You Know...
The Indian Cobra lays an average of 20 eggs, often in abandoned animal burrows. The hatchlings are usually 10 inches (25 cm) and are capable of displaying threat and inflicting a venomous bite immediately after hatching.
Impact on Humans
The Indian Cobra is obviously affecting humans but not only because its bite kills many humans a year. Part of the snakes diet include mice witch can carry lethal contagious diseases into populated areas. The cobras venom can also be used as medicine for things like anti-cancer drugs and pain killers. Although not endangered the Indian Cobra has been hunted for the markings on its hood for production of hand bags. This presents a problem as it looks very similar to other snakes the are threatened or endangered and need protection.