Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Indian Cobra

Naja naja

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The Indian cobra is a venomous South Asian snake known for spreading a broad hood. The familiar spectacle-like marking varies and is not identical in every individual.

Naja naja (indian cobra)

Pavan Kumar N · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Rainforest, Savanna, Towns and cities
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Rodents, frogs and lizards.

Classification

Common name
Indian Cobra
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Naja naja
Taxon rank
species
Family
Elapidae
Genus
Naja
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its hood is supported by elongated neck ribs.
  • Hood markings vary between individuals.
  • It swallows its prey whole.

Habitat and range

Indian cobras occur across much of the Indian subcontinent. Forests, open vegetation and cultivated landscapes provide prey and shelter, and some animals enter human-modified areas.

Appearance and adaptations

Expandable ribs spread the skin of the neck into a hood. Body colour ranges from pale to very dark; hood markings and throat bands can also vary.

Diet and behaviour

Rodents, frogs and lizards are important prey. Venom subdues the capture before it is swallowed whole. Raising the front of the body and spreading the hood is a defensive display rather than ordinary hunting posture.

Sources

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