differs from the other cobras in having a single yellow or orange O-shaped mark on the hood. They are olive brown or black in color. This is the common Cobra found in eastern India and eastwards of India. The Black Cobra (Naja naja oxiana) occurs in the extreme northwest. In the younger stages they are light grey or brown and have dark crossbars. Adults are brown or black.
The cobras are eclectic in habitat. They are found almost anywhere, in heavy jungle, open cultivated land, populated areas etc. They are often found near or in water. It is often timid but aggressive when disturbed. The young ones are more dangerous than the adults.
They are more easily excited and are ready to strike repeatedly and with determination. When exited the cobras raise their fore body and sway backwards and forward hissing The throat becomes pouched and the whole body is inflated. It flickers its tongue in and out during inhalation and exhalation. When the snake bites its prey, and if the poison is not injected the first time, the poison is ejected as a spray.
The cobra feeds on rats, frogs, toads, birds, lizards and other snakes including other cobras. It also eats eggs. Eggs are swallowed as a whole and digested in about 48 hours.
Its mating season is in January and majority of eggs are laid in April/May. The period of gestation is about sixty-two days but may extend considerably. Eggs hatch in 48 to 69 days. 45 eggs are deposited at a time. The eggs are soft-shelled elongate and oval measuring 49 x 28 mm. The parents live together before pairing and one or both guard the eggs. Both parents known to keep warm the eggs. The poison glands are active from birth.
There are two fully operative canaliculate fangs on each side. These are shed singly at intervals. The fangs are about 7 mm in length. The poison glands are similar to the parotid salivary glands in mammals and have the shape and size of an almond kernel. The venom is a clear, viscid fluid resembling olive oil in appearance. The amount of venom secreted varies with age, vitality and temper of the animal. The poison acts mainly as a neurotoxin and blood and cell destroyer. The neurotoxin paralyses the respiratory center and is the chief cause of death. Other deadly effects of the venom are loss of clotting power of the blood and destruction of red blood cells.
The symptoms are a stinging or burning plan accompanied by swelling and oozing of bloodstained serum. The effects are gradual but rapidly advancing paralysis commences with the legs, the neck droops, the muscles of the tongue, lips, and throat, are affected and speech becomes difficult. The lower lip falls and allows saliva to dribble, swallowing becomes difficult or impossible. Breathing becomes difficult, laborious and stops. Other symptoms are vomiting and hemorrhage from the various orifices of the body.
The bite of a cobra is not fatal at all times. Fatality depends on the quantity of venom injected, the natural resistance of the victim, the condition of the snake and various other factors. The Haffkine Institute`s polyvalent serum is fully effective even when symptoms are far advanced.
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