Black Cobra Snake Information
Known for their deadly venom and ominous appearance, black cobras are well respected by those who live, work and conduct research with this impressive snake. Black cobras are members of the venomous family of snakes known as Elapidae, which also includes mambas and coral snakes. Famous for its illustrious defensive display, the black cobra conspicuously warns others of its deadly nature when threatened.
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Taxonomy
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Black cobras are known by many names such as the Pakistan black cobra, the Indian cobra or simply, the common cobra. Dr. Wolfgang Wuster, a herpetologist with the University of Wales, has noted in his research on Asiatic cobras that there has been some confusion and uncertainty within the scientific community regarding the taxonomy of some cobra species. Currently, the black cobra is classified as belonging to the genus Naja (which includes all pure cobras). Most often, however, black cobras (Naja naja) are called Indian cobras or spectacled cobras by common name.
Appearance, Size and Reproduction
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Naja naja is variable in its appearance. The color of the black cobra's scales can be tan, black or speckled. Regardless of their dominant color, black cobras usually have a distinct ring-shaped marking on their neck. This symbolic marking serves as a warning when the neck is flattened in its defensive posture. The species varies in size from 3 to 6 feet on average, but can occasionally grow larger. Like all cobras, theses snakes lay eggs, but the mothers often accompany and protect the eggs during their incubation periods, which last about 50 to 60 days, an atypical behavioral trait for snakes.
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Habitat, Range and Diet
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The black cobra is often found in forests and in agricultural fields in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, as well as parts of Nepal and Bhutan. The black cobra feeds on rodents, lizards and frogs in these areas, making them both an aid and a threat to people who live with them. By feeding on rodents, they help keep agricultural crops healthy, yet they are also drawn to human settlements and are more likely to have contact with people increasing the risk of a bite.
Venom and Scientific Research
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Cobras have good reason to be feared. A bite from a cobra can kill a full-grown human in less than 30 minutes without antivenin treatment, according to Dr. Suzan Stagg-Williams and fellow researchers at the University of Michigan in their online publication Pharmacokinetics of Snake Bites. Naja naja is the second most venomous species of cobra, second only to the Philippine Cobra (Naja philippinensis). Like all members of the Elapidae family, black cobras inject a post-synaptic neurotoxin into victims. This type of toxin inhibits messaging between nerve cells, paralyzing muscles, leading to respiratory or cardiac failure. In the April 2010 publication of Toxicon researchers Carl-Wilhelm Vogel and David Fritzinger revealed that there are some positive health benefits for treating arthritis from the chemical components of the deadly venom.
Interesting Facts
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Though the black cobra contains lethal venom and this species is known to be aggressive when threatened, it is often reluctant to open its mouth when biting. There have been several reports of dry bites, seen as warnings or threats toward people. Black cobras are one of only three non-spitting species of cobra in Asia. They are famous as the dangerous cobras used by snake charmers though they have been protected by a ban on snake charming since 1991. The Indian cobra plays an important role in Indian mythology as the symbolic pattern on the back of the cobras hood is believed to be the remnants of Krishna's footprints from a time when he once danced on the head of the snake.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit inde,cobra image by jean claude braun from Fotolia.com
