Cobra

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Cobra
Temporal range: MioceneHolocene
Indiancobra.jpg
Indian cobra (Naja naja) in a defensive posture
Scientific classification
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Phylum:
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Family:
Elapidae (with some exceptions)

Laurenti, 1768

Cobra is the common name of various venomous snakes, most of which belong to the genus Naja . [1]

Contents

Many cobras are capable of rearing upwards and producing a hood when threatened. [lower-alpha 1]

Other snakes known as "cobras"

While the members of the genus Naja constitute the true cobras, the name cobra is also applied to these other genera and species:

The false water cobra ( Hydrodynastes gigas ) is the only "cobra" species that is not a member of the Elapidae. It does not rear upwards, produces only a slight flattening of the neck when threatened, and is only mildly venomous. [4] :p.53

Notes

  1. Two kinds of non-venomous snake, the hognose snakes and the striped keelback, also rear upwards and produce hoods but are not considered "cobras"; likewise, some venomous elapid snakes, such as the black mamba, are also capable of producing hoods but are not called "cobras".

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">King cobra</span> Venomous snake species from Asia

The king cobra is a venomous snake endemic to Asia. The sole member of the genus Ophiophagus, it is not taxonomically a true cobra, despite its common name and some resemblance. With an average length of 3.18 to 4 m and a record length of 5.85 m (19.2 ft), it is the world's longest venomous snake. The species has diversified colouration across habitats, from black with white stripes to unbroken brownish grey. The king cobra is widely distributed albeit not commonly seen, with a range spanning from the Indian Subcontinent through Southeastern Asia to Southern China. It preys chiefly on other snakes, including those of its own kind. This is the only ophidian that constructs an above-ground nest for its eggs, which are purposefully and meticulously gathered and protected by the female throughout the incubation period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elapidae</span> Family of venomous snakes

Elapidae is a family of snakes characterized by their permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth. Most elapids are venomous, with the exception of the genus Emydocephalus. Many members of this family exhibit a threat display of rearing upwards while spreading out a neck flap. Elapids are endemic to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, with terrestrial forms in Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas and marine forms in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Members of the family have a wide range of sizes, from the 18 cm (7.1 in) white-lipped snake to the 5.85 m king cobra. Most species have neurotoxic venom that is channeled by their hollow fangs, and some may contain other toxic components in various proportions. The family includes 55 genera with around 360 species and over 170 subspecies.

<i>Aspidelaps</i> Genus of snakes

Aspidelaps is a genus of venomous elapid snakes endemic to Africa. Species in the genus Aspidelaps are commonly called shield-nosed cobras, African coral snakes or coral cobras after their cobra hoods and enlarged rostral (nose) scales. However, the hood is not nearly as well developed in Aspidelaps as it is in the true cobras of the genus Naja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian cobra</span> Species of snake

The Indian cobra, also known commonly as the spectacled cobra, Asian cobra, or binocellate cobra, is a species of cobra, a venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent, and is a member of the "big four" species that are responsible for the most snakebite cases in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monocled cobra</span> Species of snake

The monocled cobra, also called monocellate cobra and Indian spitting cobra, is a venomous cobra species widespread across South and Southeast Asia and listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

<i>Walterinnesia aegyptia</i> Species of snake

Walterinnesia aegyptia, also known as the desert cobra or desert black snake, is a species of venomous snakes in the family Elapidae that is native to the Middle East. The specific epithet aegyptia refers to part of its geographic range.

<i>Walterinnesia</i> Genus of snakes

Walterinnesia is a genus of venomous snakes in the family Elapidae. The genus contains two species, known commonly as desert black snakes or black desert cobras, which are endemic to the Middle East. The generic name Walterinnesia honours Walter Francis Innes Bey (1858–1937), who was a physician and zoologist in Egypt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mozambique spitting cobra</span> Species of snake

The Mozambique spitting cobra is a highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to Africa. It is largely found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red spitting cobra</span> Species of snake

The red spitting cobra is a species of spitting cobra native to Africa.

Pseudohaje is a genus of venomous African elapid snakes, commonly called tree cobras or forest cobras because of their arboreal lifestyle. Their ability to produce a hood is limited to a slight flattening of the neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indochinese spitting cobra</span> Species of snake

The Indochinese spitting cobra also called the Thai spitting cobra, black and white spitting cobra, Siamese spitting cobra, is a species of spitting cobra found in Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goldie's tree cobra</span> Species of snake

Goldie's tree cobra, also known commonly as the African tree cobra and as Gold's tree cobra, is a species of venomous tree cobra in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central and Western Africa. This species is one of the two tree cobras in Africa, the other being the black tree cobra. Goldie's tree cobra is one of the most venomous snakes and creatures in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest cobra</span> Species of snake

The forest cobra, also commonly called the black cobra and the black and white-lipped cobra, is a species of highly venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Africa, mostly the central and western parts of the continent. It is the largest true cobra species with a record length of 3.2 metres.

<i>Naja nigricincta</i> Species of snake

Naja nigricincta is a species of spitting cobra in the genus Naja, belonging to the family Elapidae. The species is native to the deserts and drier regions of southern Africa. The species is largely nocturnal, and is often found while crossing roads at night. There are two recognized subspecies.

<i>Naja christyi</i> Species of snake

Naja christyi, commonly known as the Congo water cobra or Christy's water cobra, is a species of venomous snakes belonging to the family Elapidae. The species is native to Sub-Saharan Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anchieta's cobra</span> Species of snake

Anchieta's cobra, sometimes referred to as the Angolan cobra, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Southern Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andaman cobra</span> Species of snake

The Andaman cobra or Andaman spitting cobra is a species of cobra endemic to the Andaman Islands of India. The name of this cobra comes from the Islands itself. The species has a very potent venom, and is capable of “spitting”, although this defensive behavior is very rare and the aim is poor and not as efficient as “true spitting cobras”.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shield-nosed cobra</span> Species of snake

The shield-nosed cobra, or eastern shield-nose snake, is a venomous snake of the family Elapidae.

References

  1. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Cobra"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 613.
  2. Wolfgang Bücherl; Eleanor E. Buckley; Venancio Deulofeu (17 September 2013). Venomous Animals and Their Venoms: Venomous Vertebrates. Elsevier. p. 492. ISBN   978-1-4832-6363-2.
  3. United States. Department of the Navy. Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (2013). Venomous Snakes of the World: A Manual for Use by U. S. Amphibious Forces. Skyhorse. p. 217. ISBN   978-1-62087-623-7.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Mark O'Shea (20 February 2008). Venomous Snakes of the World. New Holland. p. 74. ISBN   978-1-84773-086-2.[ permanent dead link ]