Studies reveal that people are more familiar with the cobra snake family than with any other species or subspecies in the venomous or non-venomous serpent categories. Tropical lands and desert areas make the favorite habitat for the cobra snake, which explains why this snake is regularly found in the arid lands of Asia and Africa. These serpents have got so very famous by the threatening body posture they assume when sensing danger: a cobra snake, which has a regular symmetrical head when in a tolerant mood, will flatten the head and rear it up in a menacing way when seeing a possible attack coming. Another thing the cobra snake remains famous for is the snake charming tricks performed by Indian serpent breeders.

Cobra Snake

The spitting cobra snake is one of the most peculiar variety as it not only has a deadly bite but it also sprays venom in the eyes of prey and aggressors alike. The contact with the eyes can be very painful and even blinding, therefore, if you accidentally get cobra snake venom in the eyes, washing with plenty of water could be the only way to stop permanent damage. The King cobra snake also stands apart in this large serpent family by its feeding specificity, since it eats almost only other snakes, with mice and small birds accidentally turning into a meal.

Cobra Snake

The King cobra snake sets another record in terms of size: it can grow as long as seventeen feet, which makes it the largest venomous snake on the globe. The most recent discovery of a cobra snake species was made in 2003, when a strange cobra snake was identified at a London Zoo as part of an illegal transport of exotic pets. DNA studies revealed that this new species is similar to the red spitting cobra snake but shows major differences in the genetic structure. It apparently originates from an area between Sudan and Egypt, which is why scientists gave it the old name of this geographic location, Nubian spitting cobra.

Cobra Snake

Although the risk of getting bitten is high in the presence of a venomous specimen, a cobra snake will not attack if you leave it in peace. In comparison with the launch speed of a rattlesnake, the cobra is pretty slow in attack, and many bites fail to touch the prey or do not result in envenomation. Research conducted on Malaysian people bitten by a cobra snake shows that only 55% of the bites had venom release too. Yet, the same report indicates a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten by a cobra snake, since the toxins sent in the blood of the prey are affecting the nerves and inducing respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten.

Posted by SportsDude / General