Cobra Characteristics

Physical Characteristics

• The coloring of cobras ranges from creams and yellows to black and grays to browns and reds to different shades of green. Patterns even speckle and stripe some cobras. The Egyptian cobra, for example, possesses a yellowish, dark brown or black top with brown crossbands. Adult cobras can measure anywhere between 4.5 and 16 feet in length. King cobra may grow even longer. While color and length vary among species, all cobras possess short fangs and hoods on their necks. These hoods, whose markings resemble eyes, consist of loose flaps of skin connected to long ribs.

Behavioral Characteristics

• While some species of cobras, such as the Egyptian cobra, show aggression, while others, such as the King Cobra, exhibit caution, they all display their neck hoods when threatened. A cobra will also lift its head and one-third of its body off the ground and hiss when its feels vulnerable. To fend off predators, cobras infect their enemies with a neurotoxin venom, either by bite or spitting into their opponent's eyes to cause extreme pain. Spitting cobras can shoot venom through both their fangs over a distance of 6.5 feet.

Eating Habits

• Cobra feed on small mammals such as rodents, reptiles such as lizards, amphibians such as frogs, birds and bird eggs. Cobra will also feed on other snakes. The King Cobra feasts only on other snakes, especially enjoying pythons and other cobras. Cobras silently stalk their prey before attacking with raised heads and great speed. They bite their prey, injecting them with venom, which either subdues or kills the creature. Like all other snakes, cobras swallow their meals whole.

Habitats

• Cobras can be found through out Africa, Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Relatives of cobras live around the world, including the coral snake in the United States. Cobras live in humid and arid savannas, cultivated fields, grasslands and forests. Able to climb and swim, cobras also live near mountainous outcrops and bodies of water such as rivers and rice fields. They make their homes under rocks, underground or in trees.