Indian Cobra  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.