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The Indian Cobra(Najanaja) (Marathi—Nag) is found in all typesof
habitat from heavy jungles to populated town. Old masonryis specially
favoured ; white ants nests in the countryside are oftena favourite haunt.
The hood, spread when the snake is excited, isdistinctive. Three varieties
occur in India ; (1) with a spectacle markon the hood found throughout
peninsular India ; (2) with a singleround mark on the hood found in east
India and countries to the east;and (3) without any markings on the hood,
found in north westIndia. In colour it may be yellowish olive brown, dark
brown, orblack Adults are usually from 1.35 to 1.65 metres in length.
Longerspecimens occur but are rare. In disposition it is not an
aggressivesnake and if disturbed will erect its forebody and hiss but ifit is
notmolested, will move away. Young are more agressive than adults.Feeds
principally on rats, frogs and toads, less frequently on birds andeggs;
occasionally takes other snakes. Breeding season extends overseveral
months and eggs, 12 to 22 in number, are laid in May to July.The mother
usually coils round the eggs. The poison fangs are smallless than 8 mm.,
but strong. The poison is a rapidly absorbed neurotoxin and death, as in
krait poison is due to asphyxia. Death froma bite is not inevitable, the
result being dependent on several factors, themain being the amount of
poison discharged into the wound.
The King CobraOphiophagus hannah,the largest among the
world'spoisonous snakes is an uncommon snake, usually found in
heavyjungles. The maximum length recorded is 5.4 metres but
usuallyspecimens about half the size are seen. Black or olive in
colour,uniform when adult but banded with white when young. Has
thecharacteristic hood of the cobras. Feeds mainly on other snakes.
The Sea Snakes. Family Hydrophiidae, occur along the coast
fromPersian Gulf to the Islands of Oceania. The body is compressed
andthe tail is paddle shaped. Two subfamilies are recognized,
thethoroughly aquatic and viviparous Hydrophiinae, are off shore
species.The Laticaudinae are littoral and largely oviparous. All sea
snakesare poisonous but the potency of the venom varies, some being
morepowerful than the cobra venom. There are no records of bites from
FAUNA 638