Also known as the spectacled cobra, the Naja naja is one of the most venomous snake in the world. Its natural habitat is India and other Southeast Asian countries. As a member of the Elapidae family, the glands of its fangs secrete neurotoxic venom, which interferes with its prey's post-synaptic jump, blocking the nerve impulses between two nerve cells. Therefore, someone who is bitten by this cobra, if not treated, could die of a asphyxia due to paralysis of respiratory muscles (diaphragm and intercostal muscles of ribcage).
Description
The adult of the Naja naja measures between 1.80 and 2.20 m in length. Right below its round head, there is a pair of hoods, which are spread out when disturbed, or feels threatened, as it rears up ready to bite. The color of its body varies from brown to dark grey. The scales of the dorsal side of body are smooth and arranged in an oblique pattern. It has a spectacles-shaped pattern on the back of hood, which is clearly distinguished when it is light brown in color.
The Indian cobra lurks under rocks, pile of logs, and rat holes. It preys on rodents such as rats.
Below, the Naja naja rearing up, with its hood spread out.
