Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Suborder: Serpentes

Family: Elapidae

Genus: Naja

Specimen Description

The cobra venom contains postsynaptic neurotoxins that spread rapidly in its victim’s bloodstream, causing respiratory failure and, eventually, death. Cobra venom is an example of a molecule that prohibits the interaction of acetylcholine molecules (transmitted from nerve endings surrounding the diaphragm muscle) with the receptor sites on the diaphragm muscle. It binds to the receptor sites, blocking them from interacting with acetylcholine molecules. Even worse, the venom molecule will not immediately break down and vacate the receptor site, effectively removing the site from active duty. It has been determined that even if only 75 to 80% of the receptor sites on your diaphragm become blocked by venom, you will cease breathing. With cobra venoms, this process can take as little as 30 minutes. The only way to counteract the effects of cobra venom is to inject the appropriate antivenom shortly after the bite occurs.

About the animal

Indian cobra is a one of the most venomous snake in the world and are profusely found in Indian subcontinent. Cobras are famous and unique for displaying their beautiful hoods. Cobras are for long time revere in Indian mythology and culture and in some parts of India,people worship the snake like any other god. The cobras are highly venomous and a dangerous snakes. They mostly feed on rodents,lizards and frogs. They are agile and efficient hunter, Indian cobras produce haemotoxic poison thats mean it directly effect on the blood and block the blood supply to the heart. The poison is very potent and can results in fatality in 30-60 minutes. Spectacle cobra get its name by a nice spectacle type of design on its rear part of their hood. They are considered more intelligent than most of other snakes and also very adaptive. They are mostly found in rain forests or bamboo forests but with the destruction of natural habitat they are now often found in the agricultural land and human inhabitants. Spectacle cobras are oviparous, lays large number of eggs, usually in the hollow of trees or any secure place safe by predator like eagles and vultures. The female cobra guard the eggs and only leaving to feed. The incubation period lasts for 48 to 69 days. Baby cobras hatched out from eggs are also poisonous and agile from the beginning.

Reference:

http://www.indiantraveltrendz.com/indian-cobra.htm

http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/web_mod/cobra/venom.html