Cobras are deadly, poisonous snakes known for their ability to flatten their necks into the shape of a hood when threatened. Snake charmers often use cobras to make their act seem dangerous and exciting. Cobras can inject their enemies with a powerful, paralyzing venom. Despite their fierce reputation, however, most cobras would rather retreat instead of confronting an enemy. Where cobras liveCobras live in warm regions throughout Asia, Australia, and Africa. Some dwell in grasslands, forests, or deserts. Others live in trees or along the shores of lakes. Physical featuresThe bodies of cobras are medium to large in size and usually a single color or spotted. The king cobra of Asia is the world's longest poisonous snake. It can reach a length of about 18 feet (5.5 meters). All types of cobras are able to lift up the skin behind their head so that it looks like a hood. When the cobra is threatened, it extends its long, flexible back ribs sideways and forward. This stretches the skin to create the hood. The size of the hood varies with the type of snake. Some cobras have distinct markings on their hoods. All cobras also have short, hollow front fangs that deliver venom to their prey. Most cobras have holes at the bottom of their fangs, but the African ringhals and other spitting cobras have small holes at the front. They can accurately squirt a stream of venom at high speed into an intruder's eyes. Some large cobras can spit venom a distance of 7 feet (2 meters) or more. The venom does not harm the skin, but it can cause intense pain and permanent blindness in the eyes if they are not promptly treated. The snake spits the venom to distract an intruder while it retreats. Such snakes also inject venom into prey through a bite. BehaviorCobras hunt in the evening and at night, often hiding in animal burrows and termite mounds. Their prey includes mammals, birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, and even fish. The small mammal known as the mongoose is an enemy of the cobra. It attacks the cobra quickly from above to avoid the snake's strike. A cobra takes on a fierce posture when threatened. It rears its head up off the ground to almost one-third of its body length and spreads its hood. Some cobras add a hiss to this posture, and the king cobra gives a loud growl. It is from this position that the cobra strikes in self-defense. Life cycleFemales lay up to several dozen eggs and hide them in leaf piles and other warm, moist places. King cobras loop their bodies to scoop vegetation and build a nest. Some cobras, including king cobras, guard their eggs until they hatch. |