Naja naja naja (indian Cobra)

2. Naja naja naja

Distinguishing Features

i. They are deadly poisonous snakes.
ii. Their venom is neurotoxic in nature
iii. Posteriorly, their body is sub cylindrical but anteriorly they are flattened dorso-ventrally
iv. The head is wide and slightly distinct from the neck.
v. The number of scales on the upper labial is 7. The 3^rd scale is the largest and touches the nasal shield and eye.
vi. The number of scales on the lower labial is 7, 8 or 9. The 4^th and 5^th scales of the lower labial are larger than the other scales.
vii. The dorsal surface is uniformly dark brown and the ventral surface is pale gray to butter yellow in colour.
viii. At the posterior end the ventral surface is slate gray or dark brown.
ix. The hood has a spectacle on its dorsal surface and has 2 - 4 irregular, dark, transverse bars on its ventral surface.
x. The head and neck are dark olive to brown in colour and dark bands are present on the ventral surface of the neck.
xi. They possess large eyes with a round pupil.
xii. In young snakes the hood is steel gray to pale brown in colour.

Size

Its length varies from 1210 - 1650 mm

Habit and Habitat

They are usually found in damp grassland and patches of Acacia scrub. One specimen has also been collected from Kirthar National Park.

Cobras live in clumps of munji grass and dens of small mammals such as porcupines, hares, hedgehogs, scaly anteaters, rats and mice. They are known for their good vision. Whenever they come in contact with a predator, especially human beings they become aggressive, move their hood to and fro, hiss loudly and strike repeatedly to attack. They are nocturnal in habit, but sometimes may be seen daytime also also.

Food

They feed on lizards, rats, mice, frogs and small birds. Cobras catch their prey and kill it by injecting venom into its body. Later the whole prey is easily swallowed.

Distribution

They are found in all Southeast Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Srilanka and also in Transcaspia and Southern Turkamanistan.

In Pakistan, this specie is spread all over the country especially, the North - Eastern part of Punjab and Southern Parts of Sindh and Lasbella (Balochistan).

Breeding

Economic Importance

Their skin is of great commercial value and used for making shoes, purses, belts and other decorative pieces. Its venom is used for making anti-venom and painkillers. Ecologically they keep the rodent community in check.

Threats

They are hunted and killed by jogis and hunters because of their large size and tough skin. In addition, a large portion of its population is also killed by villagers due to the lack of knowledge and irrational fear.

Their venom is used in the preparation of anti-venom and other medicines and for this purpose these snake are kept in captivity but are not provided with proper environment and food which results in their death and rarity.

Status

Less common.