Spectecled Cobra
SPECTECLED COBRA: DESCRIPTION:
On the rear of the snake's hood are two circular ocelli patterns connected by a curved line, evoking the image of spectacles. An average cobra is about 1.9 meters (6 feet) in length and rarely as long as 2.4 meters (nearly 8 feet).[2] The spectacle pattern on the hood is very variable as also the ground colour of the snake.
The Oriental Ratsnake Ptyas mucosus is often mistaken for the cobra; however this snake is much longer and can easily be told apart by the stronger ridged appearance of its body. Other snakes which resemble Naja naja are the Banded Racer Argyrogena fasciolata and the Indian Smooth Snake Coronella brachyura.
The genus name Naja comes from Indian Languages. The Indian Cobra or Spectacled Cobra being common in South Asia, is referred to by a number of local names deriving from the root of Naag (Hindi, Sanskrit, Oriy, Marathi), Moorkan (Malayalam), Naya (Singhalese), Nalla Trachu (Telugu)[6] ,Nagara Haavu (Kannada) Nalla pambu (Tamil)[6] and Gokhra (Bengali).
ECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTION:
Naja naja is found throughout the mainland of India. It is also found in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. It ranges from sea-level up to 2000m.
Cobras normally feed on rodents, toads, frogs, birds and snakes. Their normal habitat includes open forest and farmland. They are however also able to thrive in cities, living on rodents in the sewers and underground drains.
Indian cobras are oviparous and lay their eggs between the months of April and July. Females lay from 12 to 30 eggs in an underground nest and the eggs hatch 48 to 69 days later. Newborn cobras measure between 8 and 12 inches (20-30 cm). Newly hatched cobras have fully functional venom glands.
VENOM:
The Spectecled cobra's venom contains a powerful post-synaptic neurotoxin. The venom acts on the synaptic gaps of the nerves, thereby paralyzing muscles, and possibly leading to respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. The venom components include enzymes such as hyaluronidase that cause lysis and increase the spread of the venom. Symptoms of cobra envenomation can begin from 15 minutes to two hours after the bite, and can be fatal in less than an hour. The Indian Cobra is one of the Big four (most dangerous venomous snakes of India) and a polyvalent serum is available for treating snakebites by these snake.
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