A widespread South Asian elapid bearing the iconic spectacle marking on its hood, sacred in Hindu mythology and one of the Big Four medically important snakes of India.
Description
The Indian cobra is a medium-sized elapid usually 1 to 1.5 m long with a smooth body, broad hood, and the famous spectacle mark — two oval rings linked by a curving line — on the back of the hood. Colour varies from sandy yellow to brown, olive, or black across populations.
Behavior
When threatened the Indian cobra rears up to a third of its body, spreads the hood, and hisses with the mouth open. Its venom contains powerful neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. Bites are common in rural agricultural areas and are a leading cause of snakebite death in India.
Range
Distributed widely across South Asia in habitats ranging from paddy fields to suburban gardens. The species is central to Hindu ritual and folklore, associated with the deity Shiva and depicted across temple art throughout the subcontinent.
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Indian Cobra starts with I and ends with A. Browse other snakes along the same letter.
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