Recognizing Deadly Venomous Snakes from Harmless Snakes of Sri Lanka

6. Cobra
There is only one species of cobra (Indian cobra or Spectacled cobra) found
in Sri Lanka. It is a deadly venomous species, and is the most commonly
known venomous snake, amongst people in the island.
6.1 Naja naja
Indian cobra, Spectacled cobra (E); Naya, Nagaya (S)
Toxicity: Deadly venomous
Size: 180 cm
Colouration: The colour on its back varies from dark brown to dark reddish
brown or dark grey to grayish black with white or light yellow cross bars. These
cross bars are either incomplete or complete with sets of four to six bands
grouped at times. Hood contains a large usually white-coloured spectacle shaped
marking, and the surrounding area is reddish. The ventral or the underside may
vary from white to pale yellow to light brown, while some may have a single
colouration, others may have cross bars or blotching.
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The prominent, large
spectacle shaped marking
on the hood of a cobra
which is commonly
white.
Simple identification: It forms a distinctive hood, raising its body and displaying
the prominent spectacle shaped marking on the head. When the hood has not
expanded, the easiest way to identify this snake is by the observing its rostral
scale, the area below the eye which is outlined in black.
The subcaudal scales on the underside of its tail are divided.