Cobra 226928 224937410 2008-07-11T02:24:35Z 58.179.145.221 [[Image:Cobra-kannur-snake-park-1.jpg|thumb|right|Indian Spectacled Cobra]] [[Image:Najahaje.jpg|thumb|right|[[Egyptian Cobra]], ''Naja haje'']] {{Otheruses4|snakes}} A '''cobra''' ({{Audio|Br-Cobra.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a venomous [[snake]] of [[cobra (biology)|family]] [[Elapidae]], of several [[genus|genera]], but particularly ''[[Naja]]''. (Non-cobra elapidae include the [[taipan]]s, [[Pseudonaja|brown snake]]s, [[Notechis|tiger snake]]s, [[fierce snake]]s, [[coral snake]]s, [[mamba]]s and [[sea snakes]].) Cobras generally inhabit tropical and desert regions of [[Asia]] and [[Africa]]. ==Appearance and description== The cobra's most recognizable feature is its hood, a section of its neck which it can flatten outwards in a threat display to appear larger. Since snakes do not have a sternum they can stretch their ribs outwards which expands the hood. The hood can also carry distinctive markings. The hood of the Asian cobra is proportionately much larger than that of the king cobra and is usually yellow to brown, with a black-and-white spectacle pattern on top and two black and white spots on the lower surface. Most snakes can flatten their necks to some degree; cobras are only more adept. Cobras come in varying colors from black or dark brown to yellowish white. Elapidae cannot fold their fangs down, as [[Viperidae]] can, so their fangs are generally shorter. Most cobras are quite large, reaching on average 1.2–2.5m (3.9-8.2 ft) long. '''Cobra''' is the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] (and old [[Galician language|Galician]]) common name for a snake; it came from late [[Latin]] ''colobra'' (from the classical Latin ''coluber'', ''colubra''). When Portuguese navigators arrived on the coasts of Africa and South Asia in the 16th century, they named the cobra "cobra-capelo", or "hood-snake"; from this compound, the name entered Spanish, French, English, and other European languages. Today, mainly in [[Brazil]], cobras are known basically as '''najas'''. Among the most notable attributes of the Cobra is their powerful venom. ==Types of cobra== The most common cobra is the Asian Spectacled cobra ''Naja naja'', native to the [[Indian subcontinent]] and associated with [[snake charming]] there. The Black cobra, found in [[Pakistan]] and [[North India]], is generally considered to be a sub-species.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} The second most common cobra species is the [[Monocled cobra]], ''Naja kaouthia'', widespread in [[Asia]].[[Image:Egyptian Cobra 001.jpg|thumb|right|Coiled Banded [[Snouted Cobra]] with hood dormant]] In addition to a deadly bite, the [[Spitting cobra]] can incapacitate larger would-be predators by spraying venom into their [[eyes]]. This is extremely painful and can cause permanent blindness, but if washed out promptly rarely causes permanent damage. The [[King cobra]] is [[ophiophagy|ophiophagous]]; it feeds almost entirely on other [[snakes]], even venomous ones, although it sometimes preys on small [[rodent]]s and [[bird]]s. It will only attack [[humans]] if provoked or in other extreme circumstances that threaten its survival. If not treated, a king cobra's bite can [[kill]] a [[person]] in just half an hour. [[King Cobra]]s may reach up to 5.2m (17.1ft) in length, making them the largest [[venomous snakes]] in the [[world]]. <!-- The other types of Cobras are Egyptian cobra, water cobra, etc. the mozambique spitting cobra is a sub-species of the spitting cobra. Lots more to add... Naja haje, Naja annulifera ssp., Naja melanoleuca, Naja nivea, ..... Plus the african cobras: Aspidelaps spp, Hemachatus hemachatuis--> In 2003, a new species of cobra was discovered at London Zoo in a shipment of illegal exotic pets. When zoo scientists thought they had a new species they brought in Dr. Wuster who confirmed their belief. Although bearing a resemblance to the Red Spitting Cobra DNA tests confirmed that it is in fact a new species altogether. Studies indicated that it originated from an area of Egypt and Sudan formerly known as [[Nubia]]. The new species, ''Naja nubiae'' or Nubian Spitting Cobra, has since bred at London Zoo. ==Cobra venom== The snake will only attack a human if provoked or in other extreme circumstances which threaten its survival. Furthermore, for a dangerously venomous snake, the cobra's strikes are quite slow when compared to the extremely rapid strikes of such species as [[rattlesnake]]s. Additionally, not all bites result in envenomation and in the case of the Cobra the amount of "blank" strikes may be quite high: in one series of recorded bites in Malaysia only 55% of strikes have included envenomation. Cobra bites are fatal in about 10% of human cases. However, as with any venomous snake, any bite from a cobra should be treated as a potentially fatal injury and medical attention should be sought immediately after the bite occurs. As with all [[elapids]], the venom of cobras is highly [[neurotoxic]] and dangerous. Therefore, any cobra bite must be regarded as life-threatening and professional medical assistance should be immediately sought. Early symptoms of a bite include [[Ptosis_%28eyelid%29|ptosis]], [[diplopia]] , [[dysphagia]], and [[dizziness]], followed by progressive [[respiratory muscle weakness]], ultimately requiring [[endotracheal intubation]]. Cobra venom is a [[postsynaptic]] [[neurotoxin]]. It works by stopping the [[acetylcholine]] [[molecules]] in the [[diaphragm]] [[muscle]] from interacting. Without treatment death from [[respiratory failure]] may occur as early as 30 minutes after being bitten. Standard treatment involves the use of [[antivenin]]. Additionally, it is possible to support bite victims via [[mechanical ventilation]], using equipment of the type generally available at hospitals. If too far away from a hospital, doctors prefer the "suck and spit" formation. Such support should be provided until the venom is metabolised and the victim can breathe unaided. If death occurs it takes place approximately 6 to 12 hours after the cobra bite. Cause of death is [[respiratory failure]] or [[suffocation]] caused by complete [[paralysis]] of the [[Thoracic_diaphragm|diaphragm]]. ==Rhythm and Rituals== [[Image:Snake in basket.jpg|thumb|left|Cobra being charmed]] [[India]]n "saperas" claim to spectators that they can charm a cobra by playing music. The sapera plays a flute, swaying it from side to side and the cobra sways in time with the music, apparently [[Hypnosis|hypnotized]]. In fact, the cobra is not reacting to the music as snakes do not have hearing. What prompts it to perform is the snake charmer's clever manipulation of the cobra's natural tendencies. When suddenly thrust into the open air from the darkness of the basket, the snake rises up and spreads its hood, its normal reaction to a threat. It sees the swaying pipe and mistakes it for another snake. That error, together with the charmer's movements in time with the music, holds the snake's attention and follows the movement of the instrument. As the charmer moves the pipe, so the cobra bobs its head. However, the following must be taken into consideration: The New Encyclopaedia Britannica (1987, Vol. 27, p. 159) states: “This supposition is incorrect; snakes are sensitive to some airborne sound waves and are able to receive them through a mechanism that serves as a substitute for the tympanic membrane. . . . Moreover, while the sensitivity of most snakes to the middle of the low-tone range is below that of most other types of ears, it is not seriously so. In a few snakes, however, the sensitivity is about as keen as in the majority of lizards with conventional types of ear openings and middle-ear mechanisms.” ===Rituals=== In [[Hindu]] mythology, an injured snake cobra is considred as a character of revenge. A popular [[Kannada]] film [[Naagarahaavu]] released in 1972 depicts this character. [[Hindus]] worship the snake cobra during [[Nag Panchami]] festival. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{commons}} * [http://biology.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/Taxa/AsNaja.htm The Asiatic Cobra Systematics Page] * [http://www.kingsnake.com/elapids/ Richard Mastenbroek's Elapid Pages], captive care information [[Category:Elapidae]] [[Category:Reptiles of Africa]] [[Category:Reptiles of Asia]] [[ar:الكوبرا]] [[bn:কেউটে সাপ]] [[bg:Кобра]] [[ca:Cobra]] [[cs:Kobry]] [[es:Cobra]] [[eo:Kobro]] [[fr:Cobra]] [[gd:Còbra]] [[hr:Kobre]] [[he:קוברה]] [[kn:ನಾಗರಹಾವು]] [[ml:മൂര്‍ഖന്‍]] [[mr:नाग]] [[ms:Ular Tedung]] [[nl:Cobra (reptiel)]] [[pl:Kobry]] [[sv:Kobra]] [[ta:நாகப்பாம்பு]] [[th:งูเห่า]] [[vi:Rắn hổ mang]] [[tr:Kobra (yılan)]] [[zh:眼鏡蛇]]