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Naja
''Naja'' is a genus of venomous elapid snakes commonly known as cobras (or "true cobras"). Various species occur throughout Africa, Southwest Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Several other elapid species are often called "cobras", such as the king cobra and the rinkhals, but they are not "true cobras", in that they do not belong to the genus ''Naja''. Until recently, the genus ''Naja'' had 20 to 22 species, but it has undergone several Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic revisions in recent years, so sources vary greatly. Wide support exists, though, for a 2009 revision that synonymised the genera ''Boulengerina'' and ''Paranaja multifasciata, Paranaja'' with ''Naja''. According to that revision, the genus ''Naja'' now includes 38 species. Etymology The origin of the Genus, generic name, ''Naja'', is from the Sanskrit ''nāga'' (with a hard "g") meaning "snake". Some hold that the Sanskrit word is Cognate (etymology), cognate with English "snake", Germanic: ''*snēk-a-'', Pr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Indian Cobra
The Indian cobra (''Naja naja /na''dʒa nadʒa/), also known Common name, commonly as the spectacled cobra, Asian cobra, or binocellate cobra, is a species of Naja, cobra, a venomous snake in the Family (biology), family Elapidae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent, and is a member of the "Big Four (Indian snakes), big four" species that are responsible for the most snakebite cases in India. The Indian cobra is revered in Hindu mythology and Hinduism#Culture, culture, and is often seen with snake charmers. It is a protected species under the ''Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Indian Wildlife Protection Act'' (1972). Taxonomy The Genus, generic name and the Species, specific epithet ''naja'' is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit language, Sanskrit word () meaning "cobra". The Indian cobra is classified under the genus ''Naja'' of the family Elapidae. The genus was first described by Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in 1768. The species ''Naja naja'' was first described ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Naja Naja
The Indian cobra (''Naja naja /na''dʒa nadʒa/), also known commonly as the spectacled cobra, Asian cobra, or binocellate cobra, is a species of cobra, a venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent, and is a member of the " big four" species that are responsible for the most snakebite cases in India. The Indian cobra is revered in Hindu mythology and culture, and is often seen with snake charmers. It is a protected species under the '' Indian Wildlife Protection Act'' (1972). Taxonomy The generic name and the specific epithet ''naja'' is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word () meaning "cobra". The Indian cobra is classified under the genus ''Naja'' of the family Elapidae. The genus was first described by Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in 1768. The species ''Naja naja'' was first described by the Swedish physician, zoologist, and botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The genus ''Naja'' was split into several subgenera based on various fac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Naja Oxiana
The Caspian cobra (''Naja oxiana''), also called the persian cobra or Russian cobra, is a species of highly venomous snake in the Family (biology), family Elapidae. The species is Endemism, endemic to Central Asia. First described by Karl Eichwald, a Germany, German physician, in 1831, it was for many years considered to be a subspecies of the Indian cobra, Naja naja until genetic analysis revealed it to be a distinct species. Taxonomy Karl Eichwald, a Baltic German, having been born modern day Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, Russia, who was a physician and naturalist first described the Caspian cobra originally as ''Tomyris oxiana'' in 1831. Russian naturalist Alexander Strauch placed it in the genus ''Naja'' in 1868. The genus, generic name ''naja'' is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word () meaning "cobra". The species, specific epithet ''oxiana'' is derived from the word in Latin language, Latin or () in Ancient Greek language, Greek, and refers to the ancient name of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Forest Cobra
The forest cobra (''Naja melanoleuca''), also commonly called the black cobra and the black and white-lipped cobra, is a species of highly venomous snake in the Family (biology), family Elapidae. The species is native to Africa, mostly the central and western parts of the continent. It is the largest Naja, true cobra species with a record length of . Although it prefers lowland forest and moist savanna habitats, this cobra is highly adaptable and can be found in drier climates within its geographical range. It is a very capable swimmer and is often considered to be semi-aquatic. The forest cobra is a generalist in its feeding habits, having a highly varied diet: anything from large insects to small mammals and other reptiles. This species is alert, nervous and is considered to be a medically significant snake. When cornered or molested, it will assume the typical cobra warning posture by raising its fore body off the ground, spreading a narrow hood, and hissing loudly. Bites to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Egyptian Cobra
The Egyptian cobra (''Naja haje'') is one of the most venomous species of snakes in North Africa. It averages roughly in length; the longest specimen recorded so far measured . Etymology and taxonomy ''Naja haje'' was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The generic name ''naja'' is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word () meaning " cobra". The specific epithet ''haje'' is derived from the Arabic word ''ḥayya'' () which literally means "snake". The snouted cobra (''Naja annulifera'') and Anchieta's cobra (''Naja anchietae'') were formerly regarded as subspecies of ''Naja haje'', but have since been shown to be distinct species. The Arabian populations were long recognised as a separate subspecies, ''Naja haje arabica'', and the black populations from Morocco sometimes as ''Naja haje legionis''. A recent study found that the Arabian cobra constitutes a separate species, ''Naja arabica'', whereas the subspecies ''legionis'' was synonymised with ''N. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spitting Cobra
A "spitting" cobra is any of several species of cobra that can intentionally, defensively shoot their snake venom, venom directly from their fangs. This substance has two functions, with the first being as venom that can be absorbed via the victim’s eyes, mouth, or nose (or any mucous membrane or existing wound), and secondly as a toxungen, which can be sprayed on the target surface. Their ability to target and shoot venom is utilised in several different ways, self-defense being the most common instance. Studies have shown that the targets (at which the cobras shoot) are far from random; rather, spitting cobras consciously take aim, directing their spray to the eyes and face of an aggressor with 90% accuracy. In a remarkable case of convergent evolution, the individual cobra species evolved the ability to spit venom independently. Background Spitting cobras belong to the Elapidae, which comprises snakes including cobras, mambas, coral snakes, kraits, taipans, death adders ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
King Cobra
The king cobra (''Ophiophagus hannah'') is a species complex of snakes Endemism, endemic to Asia. With an average of and a record length of , it is the world's longest venomous snake and among the heaviest. Under the genus ''Ophiophagus'', it is not phylogenetics, phylogenetically a Naja, true cobra despite its common name and some resemblance. Spanning from the Indian Subcontinent through Southeastern Asia to Southern China, the king cobra is widely distributed albeit not commonly seen. Individuals have Polymorphism (biology), diversified colouration across its habitats, from black with white strips to unbroken brownish grey, although after taxonomic re-evaluation, it is no longer the monotypic, sole member of its genus but is now a species complex; these differences in pattern and other aspects may cause the genus to be split into at least four species, spread across its large Species distribution, geographic range. It chiefly Ophiophagy, hunts other snakes, including Can ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paranaja Multifasciata
The many-banded snake (''Naja multifasciata''), also known commonly as the burrowing cobra, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central Africa. There are three recognized subspecies. Geographic range ''N. multifasciata'' is found in Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. Habitat The preferred natural habitat of ''N. multifasciata'' is marshy areas of forest, at elevations up to . Description ''N. multifasciata'' is a small snake with an adult size of and maximum size of about . The body is moderately slender with a short tail ending in a blunt spike. The head is short, flattened, and slightly distinct from neck; the neck region is not capable of expansion into a hood. The eyes are medium to moderately large. The pupils are round. The dorsal scales are smooth and glossy. Venom ''N. multifasciata'' is venomous. Its venom is similar to class ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rinkhals
The rinkhals (; ''Hemachatus haemachatus''), also known as the ringhals or ring-necked spitting cobra, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is found in parts of southern Africa. It is not a true cobra in that it does not belong to the genus ''Naja'', but instead belongs to the monotypic genus ''Hemachatus''. While rinkhals bear a great resemblance to true cobras, they also possess some remarkable differences from these, resulting in their placement outside the genus ''Naja''. In 2023, the Zimbabwe population was described as a new species, ''H. nyangensis''. Description Colouration of the rinkhals varies throughout its distribution area, but a characteristic of the species is that the belly is dark with one or two light-coloured crossbands on the throat. Its usual total length (tail included) is . Some individuals may have a mostly black body, while others are striped. The dorsal scales are distinct from those of ''Naja'' cobras in that they are k ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
