# Indian Cobra (*Naja naja*) The Indian Cobra is known for its impressive hood and is often seen in stories and movies! It's a special snake with unique patterns. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Habitat:** Forests and fields - **Also known as:** Naja naja, Spectacled Cobra ![Indian Cobra](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425994/objects/5703.jpg) ## Appearance The Indian Cobra is a medium-to-large snake, typically yellowish-brown, black, or grey. It has a distinctive broad hood, often marked with a spectacle-like or monocle pattern on the back, making it visually distinct when threatened. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Lepidosauria - **Order:** Squamata - **Family:** Elapidae - **Genus:** Naja ## Interesting facts - Ancient Egyptians believed cobras symbolized royalty and protection. - Baby cobras are born with full venom and can defend themselves right away! - The "spectacle" pattern on its hood is unique to each cobra, like a fingerprint! - They are famous for "dancing" to snake charmers' music, but really follow movement! ## Special abilities - **Intimidation Hood:** Indian Cobras can expand a dramatic hood because it makes them look larger and more intimidating to predators. - **Chemical Sensor:** Indian Cobras have a forked tongue that helps them 'smell' their surroundings and locate prey or mates. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 100-220 cm - **Weight:** 2-6 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 6 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-30 - **Incubation:** 48-69 days ## Diet & Feeding Hungry hunters that eat small critters like rodents, frogs, and even other snakes! - **Primary Foods:** Rodents, Frogs, Lizards, Birds, Other snakes - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Indian Grey Mongoose (*Herpestes edwardsii*) — Mongoose preys on cobras. - **Hunts:** [Black Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — Primary prey for cobras. - **Hunts:** Common Indian Toad (*Duttaphrynus melanostictus*) — Toads are part of its diet. - **Eaten by:** King Cobra (*Ophiophagus hannah*) — Young cobras can be prey. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Indian Cobra? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Indian Cobra? 100-220 cm ### How much does Indian Cobra weigh? 2-6 kg ### How long does Indian Cobra live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Indian Cobra move? 6 km/h ### What does Indian Cobra eat? Hungry hunters that eat small critters like rodents, frogs, and even other snakes! ### Where is Indian Cobra usually found? Forests and fields ### How does Indian Cobra hunt? Ambush ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Indian Cobra: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/indian-cobra)