Cobra De Capelo.......

Hi
I am back for few of you with some more information on snakes.
The topic of my blog is a very interesting creature among the species of snakes.It is called as COBRA,please do not confuse it with King Cobra.
This snake is highly venomous.The name is derived from Portuguese Cobra De Capelo meaning "snake with hood" or simply stating "hood snake".
They belong to the family of Elapidae.
Elapidae in Greek(éllops) means sea-fish.It is a family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, terrestrially in Asia and North America and aquatically in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Elapid snakes exist in a wide range of sizes, from 18 cm species of Drysdalia to the 6 m King Cobra, and are characterized by hollow, fixed fangs through which they inject venom. Currently, 61 genera that include 325 species are recognized.So one of the member in Cobra Kingdom is Naja Naja found mostly in Asia(including India) and Africa,Middle-East.Though there are many more genera under cobra but this one is more related and most widespread.It is a genus of venomous elapid snakes.The NAJA has 22 species under it.

This snake is revered in Indian mythology and culture and is often seen with snake charmers. It is now protected in India under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
An average cobra is about 1.9 meters (6 feet) in length and rarely as long as 2.4 meters (nearly 8 feet).
Cobras normally feed on rodents, toads, frogs, birds and snakes. Their normal habitat includes open forest and farmland. They are however also able to thrive in cities, living on rodents in the sewers and underground drains.


Indian cobras are oviparous and lay their eggs between the months of April and July. Females lay from 12 to 30 eggs in an underground nest and the eggs hatch 48 to 69 days later. Newborn cobras measure between 8 and 12 inches (20–30 cm). Newly hatched cobras have fully functional venom glands.There are numerous myths about cobras in India, including the idea that they mate with ratsnakes.





Venom :
All species in Naja are jehreeley...and if once bitten my them may result in death. Most species have strongly neurotoxic venom, which attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis, but many also have hemotoxic features which causes swelling, necrosis and has a significant anticoagulant effect.

Several Naja species, referred to as spitting cobras, have developed a specialized venom delivery mechanism, in which their front fangs, instead of releasing venom through the tips, as a hypodermic needle, have a rifled opening in the front surface, which allows the snake to propel the venom out of the mouth. While typically referred to as spitting, the action is more like squirting. The range and accuracy with which they can shoot their venom varies from species to species, but it is used primarily as a defense mechanism. Once sprayed onto a victim's skin, the venom acts as a severe irritant. If it is introduced to the eye, it can cause a severe burning sensation and temporary or even permanent blindness if not cleaned out immediately and thoroughly.


Watch this link for the nerve wrecking feeling.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/861411h/it_is_said_is_in_the_world_the_biggest_naja_hannah/

Word Of the Blog :

CRUNK
n. a type of hip-hop or rap music characterized by repeated shouted catchphrases and elements typical of electronic dance music, such as prominent bass.
adj. US, chiefly black slang (of a person) very excited or full of energy.
– origin 1990s: perh. an alt. past part. of crank or a blend of crazy and drunk.

I shall be back with more fun and knowledge ...

Till den as I always say!!!

Keep smiling and Stay Stylish!!!!!