The Indian Cobra is known around the world
as highly venomous snake that feeds on rodents, lizards, and frogs. As well
as biting, the Indian cobra can attack or defend itself from a distance by "spitting"
venom, which, if it enters the opponent's eyes, causes severe pain and damage.
The snake actually forces the venom through its fangs, by exerting muscular
pressure on the venom glands, so that it sprays out in twin jets for 2 m (6
1/2 ft) or more.
When threatened, the Indian Cobra will assume its characteristic posture. It
will raise the front one-third of its body and elongate its long, flexible neck
ribs and loose skin to form its distinctive hood, on which are resembled eyes.
Although the Indian Cobra is not an endangered species, it has recently been
hunted for its distinctive hood markings in the production of handbags. It is
listed under the treaty because it closely resembles other species that are
threatened and in need of protection.
The King Cobra or Hamadryad, is the largest of all poisonous snakes. This sometimes
5 meter long, lethal creature is entirely a snake eater. It enjoys Pythons,
other Cobras, and even its own species. The King is aggressive, unpredictable,
and can strike without provocation.
It is most intelligent. When erect it can stand up to 2 meters in height. In
certain fertility rites in Burma, a woman desirous of offspring is required
not only to approach the King Cobra but to plant a kiss on its mouth. If she
is successful in doing so she will bear many children; if she fails, obviously
none.
The Indian Cobra's most known characteristic features are the wide black band
on the underside of the neck, and the hood marking design which shows half-rings
on either side of the hood. It is a smooth-scaled snake with black eyes, a wide
neck and head, and a medium-sized body.
Its colouring varies from black, to dark brown, to a creamy white. The body
is usually covered with a spectacled white or yellow pattern, which sometimes
forms ragged bands. The Indian cobra may grow from 1.8m to 2.2m.
Those Cobras which have the single ring on the hood are found in Assam and Eastern
India and spit venom like the Ringhals Cobra of South Africa which can eject
a spray for a distance of more than two meters and cause severe eye pain, sometimes
blindness. Keepers who attend this particular variety of Cobra sensibly wear
goggles.
The Indian cobra feeds on rodents, lizards and frogs. It bites quickly, and
then waits while its venom damages the nervous system of the prey, paralyzing
and often killing it. Like all snakes, N. naja swallows its prey whole. This
species sometimes enters buildings in search of rodent prey.
In its characteristic threat posture, the Indian cobra raises the front one-third
of its body and spreads out its long, flexible neck ribs and loose skin to form
a disklike hood, on the back of which there are markings resembling eyes.
Indian cobras pay more attention to their eggs than is usual in snakes. The
8 to 45 eggs (usually 12 to 20) are laid in a hollow tree, a termite mound or
earth into which the snakes tunnel. The female guards the clutch throughout
the incubation period, leaving them only for a short time each day to feed.