Cobra Temporal range: Miocene-Holocene |
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Indian cobra, Naja naja in a defensive posture | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: |
Elapidae (with some exceptions) Laurenti, 1768 |
Cobra is the common name of various elapid snakes, most of which belonging to the genus Naja.
All of the known cobras are venomous and many are capable of rearing upwards and producing a hood when threatened.
All members of the genus Naja, the "true" cobras, rear and produce hoods.
Other "cobra" genera and species are as follows:
The false water cobra, Hydrodynastes gigas, is the only "cobra" which is not a member of the Elapidae. It does not rear, produces only a slight flattening of the neck, and is only mildly venomous.