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Cobra Snakes

Cobra snakes are the largest and most venomous snake in the world as well as the deadliest counting human fatalities. Just like the Coral snake they belong to the Elapidae family.

Most venomous snakes in Australia and Asia are Elapids, and in some subtropical areas, particularly in the rural tropics, fatalities by Elapids are a significant medical problem (White, 2000)1.

Indian folklore portrays Cobra snakes as a symbol of protection and fertility, and under Indian wildlife regulations it is illegal to exterminate it. Snake charmers display Cobras on markets because of their position in South-Asian culture and people's fascination of Cobra snakes.

The diet of a Cobra consists of a mixture of rodents and birds, yet they also consume other reptiles although not as a preference.

Factbox Cobra snakes

Bite from a Cobra Snake

Not all Cobra bites are venomous; some bites are dry (venom is not injected) and may cause bacterial infections from germs in the Cobra's mouthparts. Approximately 75 percent of people bit by a Cobra will eventually die from the medical complications arising from the bite. A real (not dry) bite from a Cobra snake will in many cases cause death within 10 minutes due to respiratory failure.

Since its neurotoxic venom acts by inhibiting the transfer of transmitter substances across the synaptic cleft, mechanical ventilation of a hurt victim may increase the sufferer's chance of survival. If antivenin is necessary, it is important that the specie responsible is correctly identified because the patient must have the correct antivenin and have a proper supervision (Britt & Burkhart 1997)2.

Life Cycle

Some Cobras lay their eggs in nests they assemble themselves. The number of laid eggs varies with environmental factors such as the weather conditions, temperature and the quantity and availability of food.

Approximately 9 weeks after mating, a clutch of 20 to 40 eggs is laid and ready for a period of maturation. Young Cobras hatches after 2-2½ months and the female instinctively leave the eggs before they hatch. This is convenient because otherwise she would probably eat the eggs, although it sounds like an illogical behavior from an evolutionary standpoint.

Juvenile Cobra snakes are instantly venomous and, depending on the species, their size varies.

King Cobra

The King Cobra has a reputation of having a special preference for other reptiles, but the majority of its diet is birds and rodents. King Cobras are found in Asia (India, Malaysia, Philippines, and South China) where their habitats are in tropical forests, grassland and anywhere close to water resources utilizing that they are excellent swimmers. It is 10-12 feet long and show aggression if provoked, even though it is generally considered timid.

A king cobra

Cobra vs. Mongoose

Spitting Cobra

Several species of Cobra's can spit. Spitting is used as a defense against predators. Generally a human cannot die from Cobra snake saliva. The venom in the snake's saliva can however cause permanent blindness and scars if untreated.

References

1White J "Bites and stings from venomous animals: A global overview" THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING Vol. 22 pp 65-68 (2000)
2Brit A & Burkhart "Naja naja cobra bite" AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE Vol. 15 (5) page 529-531 (1997)

Resources

Cobras

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