April 26, 2011
This article is specially written for students of all ages to learn more about the different types of spectacled cobras. (In the quest for knowledge, we are all students for life). Special care has been taken to provide close up pictures of the head to enable identification. Although, some of the pictures look similar, a keen eye can easily differentiate the different types of spectacled cobra’s based on altitude (From sea level right up to 5000 Feet elevation) and habitat. A few rare pictures with respect to molting will throw light on skin shedding.
Planet Earth is gifted with approximately 2000 species of snakes, out of which 272 are present in India ranging from the 10 cm long worm snake to the 7 meter long python and king cobra. India is blessed with three species of cobras, mainly the Indian Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja naja), the mono-ocellate cobra (Naja naja kaouthia) and the black cobra. Six species are present in Asia and nine in Africa.
We need to remember, that snakes are not under threat from other wild life, but these magnificent creatures are under threat from human beings. Cobras have good eyesight and a keen sense of smell. Cobras, especially those found in South India have a distinct pair of circular ocelli on the rear of the hood. These patterns seem to be connected by a curved line, which appear like spectacles, hence the name spectacled cobra.
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INDAIN MYTHOLOGY: Importance is given to almost all types of snakes in Indian mythology. The intent may be to conserve and preserve the balance of nature. The cobra stands out as one among the most revered and highly worshipped snakes. Lord Shiva is often portrayed with a protective cobra coiled around the neck and Lord Vishnu is usually represented as resting on the coiled body of sheshnag, a snake deity with a number of cobra heads. Cobras are also worshipped during the Hindu festival of Nag Panchami. There are numerous myths about cobras in India, including the idea that they mate with rat snakes. This is a fallacy.
Scientific name: Naja naja
Indian name: Hindi-Nag; Tamil-Nalla pamboo; Kannada-Nagara Haavu; Malayalam-Moorkan
Average Length: seven to eight feet.
Average Length at Birth: 25 cm.
DISTRIBUTION: The spectacled cobra is widely distributed across the length and breadth of the country from sea level up to 4000 m (in the Himalayas). The colour varies from black or dark brown to yellowish white. The famous spectacled markings are but a pair of connected rings. In some cobras, the spectacled markings are altogether absent. The cobras of North West India are more blackish in colour and have barely distinguishable spectacled markings.
HABITAT: No fixed habitat like dense jungle or scrub lands. With unchecked habitat destruction, cobras can be found in open places and very close to dwelling places too. Cobras are active both during the night and day.
BEHAVIOUR: Cobras are shy by nature and under most circumstances try to avoid human beings. They would rather hide or flee than fight. But their shyness or timidness should not be taken for granted, because they are hostile when provoked. All cobras are intelligent and provide three distinct warnings before they strike human beings.
It is important to realize that most snake bites from cobras are not life threatening, for the simple reason that the cobra injects very small amounts of venom or no venom at all depending on the severity of the threat. This is called a DRY BITE. (Not life threatening)
CONSERVATION STATUS: Cobras are not classified in the endangered list, but their numbers have been reduced by the loss of habitat.
MOLTING OR SKIN SHEDDING: An adult cobra sheds its skin about six times a year. It provides for vigour and agility.
FEEDING HABITS : All snakes are carnivores. (Lizards, Frogs, toads, insects, rodents, birds)
MATING AND REPRODUCTION: Cobras mate during January and February and lay 12 to 36 eggs, usually in a rat hole or termite mound which hatch within 60 days. The female stays with the clutch, till they hatch, feeding rarely if at all.
SNAKE VENOM: In simple terms is highly modified saliva with a mixture of different kinds of proteins, toxins and enzymes capable of digesting the entire prey. The cobra venom is Neurotoxin in nature and acts on the nervous system and brain. It can lead to respiratory paralysis and cardiac failure.
The venom glands of baby cobras (Hatchling) are as poisonous as a fully grown cobra. Their venom glands are fully functional. A large yolk sac remains in the hatchlings stomach which provides for nourishment up to two weeks, before it needs to find food on its own.
The maximum quantity of venom injected by a cobra is up to 211 mgs. However, a mere 16 mg of venom is sufficient to kill an adult human being.
SYMPTOMS OF COBRA BITE: Convulsions, drowsiness, headache, blurring of vision, slurred speech, limb paralysis, loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, intense abdominal pain and severe pain around the bite wound. Increased blood pressure and abnormal heart beats. Good chances of respiratory failure.
TREATMENT: The first snake Antivenom discovered in 1895 by Albert Calmette was due to the significant number of fatalities resulting from the bite from the spectacled Indian cobra.
FIRST AID:
• Reassure the patient to be calm. Explain that 90 % of cobra bites are dry bites and are harmless.
• Do not use tight tourniquets
• Do not allow the patient to exert or walk.
• Raise the leg and cover with blanket.
• In case of vomiting, turn the patient to one side to avoid choking.
• Take the patient to the nearest hospital-Anti venom serum.
RESEARCH ON COBRA VENOM: Research conducted at the Tata Memorial Cancer Institute at Bombay on various fractions of cobra venom has shown promise in treating certain cancer cells in mice. At present, the American pharmaceutical companies have successfully brought out pain killers made from cobra venom-COBROXIN, and NYLOXIN
Dr Anand & Geeta Pereira - Archives
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