Order: Squamata

Family: Elapidae

 

Size: up to 100-150 cm in length.

 

Key Features: It is a moderately sized, heavy bodied species. This cobra species can easily be identified by its relatively large and quite impressive hood, which it expands when threatened. This species has a head which is elliptical, depressed, and very slightly distinct from neck. The snout is short and rounded with large nostrils. The eyes are medium in size and the pupils are round.

 

Voice:  makes hissy sound to alarm.

 

Breeding:  oviparous and lay their eggs between the months of April and July. The female snake usually lays between 10 to 30 eggs in rat holes or termite mounds and the eggs hatch 48 to 69 days later.

 

Diet: prey on mice, rats, poultry, frogs and snakes.

 

Habitat: species inhabits a wide range of habitats throughout its geographical range. It can be found in dense or open forests, plains, agricultural lands (rice paddy fields, wheat crops), rocky terrain, wetlands, in villages and city outskirts. It is often found in the vicinity of water.

 

Habits: mostly active during the evening and early morning. When threatened, the Indian cobra will hiss and sway its hood to appear as large and aggressive as possible. The venom of the Indian cobra is highly toxic.

 

Conservation Status: Not assessed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

 

 

 

 

 

References:

Wüster, W. (1998). "The Cobras of the genus Naja in India". Hamadryad 23 (1): 15–32. Retrieved 15 September 2014.

 

Mahendra, BC. (1984). Handbook of the snakes of India, Ceylon, Burma, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Agra : The Academy of Zoology. p. 412.

 

Whitaker, Captain, Romulus, Ashok (2004). Snakes of India, The Field Guide. India: Draco Books. p. 372. ISBN 81-901873-0-9.

 

Photo Courtesy

Kamalnv, Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons