In Vietnam, there are 4 species of cobras, all of which possess deadly venom.
Cobra (scientific name: Naja) is a genus of venomous snakes belonging to the family Elapidae and is distributed throughout Asia and Africa. Cobras are not found in Australia, the Americas, or Europe, although these continents have various other venomous snake species in the Elapidae family.
The common characteristics of cobra species include long bodies, large heads, and the ability to expand their hoods to intimidate enemies. Some cobra species can also spit venom to attack foes from a distance, in addition to biting and injecting venom with their fangs.
Initially, scientists estimated that there were between 20 to 22 species of cobras, but recent studies have shown that the genus Naja includes 38 species. In Vietnam, there are 4 species of cobras, all of which possess deadly venom.
Below are the highly venomous cobra species found in Vietnam.
Chinese Cobra
The Chinese Cobra, scientifically known as Naja atra, is also referred to as the Indochinese cobra or common cobra. This species is primarily found in southeast China, Hainan Island, Taiwan, northern Vietnam, and a small part of northern Laos.
In Vietnam, this species is prevalent in northern provinces, extending to the central northern provinces, and is sporadically seen in Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces. Southern provinces from Thua Thien-Hue southward have almost no recorded sightings of the Chinese Cobra.
Many netizens share images of Chinese cobras they encounter in residential areas of northern provinces (Photo: Facebook group “Identifying Snakes and First Aid for Snake Bites in Vietnam”).
The Chinese Cobra is one of the most common venomous snakes in northern Vietnam. They are typically found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, forests, shrublands, wetlands, riversides, and agricultural rice fields.
In fact, this snake can even be found in residential areas, particularly in overgrown vacant lots in cities.
The Chinese Cobra is a medium-sized venomous snake, measuring approximately 1.2 to 1.5 meters in length, and occasionally reaching lengths of up to 2 meters, though this is rare. This species is active both day and night, primarily hunting at night. Their main diet consists of toads, frogs, lizards, rodents, and even other snakes. Young cobras primarily eat frogs and toads.
Different patterns on the back of the Chinese cobra’s neck (Photo: HongKong SnakeID).
Adult Chinese Cobras mate in late April or early May and lay eggs from June to July. Each clutch consists of 6 to 20 eggs. The eggs hatch after 50 to 57 days, meaning hatchlings appear from July to September. This is the time when young Chinese Cobras are often encountered, even in residential areas.
Indo-Chinese Cobra
The Indo-Chinese Cobra, also known as the monocled cobra or Kaouthia, has the scientific name Naja kaouthia. This species is distributed from India and Bangladesh to a small part of southwestern China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Unlike the Chinese Cobra, in Vietnam, the Indo-Chinese Cobra is only found in the central region, Central Highlands, and southern provinces.
The Indo-Chinese Cobra can also be found in human-inhabited areas.
The Indo-Chinese Cobra can thrive in various environments, including mangrove forests, rice paddies, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands. It can also be found in urban areas, increasing the likelihood of encounters with humans.
Compared to the Chinese Cobra, the Indo-Chinese Cobra is slightly larger, typically measuring 1.3 to 1.5 meters, with the potential to reach lengths of up to 2.3 meters, though this is rare. Its skin color is often darker than that of the Chinese Cobra, sometimes appearing solid black.
When threatened, the Indo-Chinese Cobra usually raises its head and expands its hood. A circular pattern resembling glasses can be observed behind its hood. Its diet includes rodents, fish, frogs, and even other snake species.
The Indo-Chinese Cobra can also spit venom to attack enemies, but primarily uses its fangs to bite and inject venom.
The Indo-Chinese Cobra is usually darker than the Chinese Cobra (Photo: ResearchGate).
Female Indo-Chinese Cobras typically lay eggs from January to March each year, with each clutch containing 16 to 33 eggs. The incubation period lasts from 55 to 73 days, so hatchlings usually appear from April to June, making this a frequent time to encounter Indo-Chinese Cobras.
Fuxi Cobra
Initially, the Fuxi Cobra was considered a part of the Indo-Chinese Cobra. However, it wasn’t until 2022, when scientists conducted more in-depth studies on its biological and genetic traits, that the Fuxi Cobra was recognized as a distinct species, scientifically named Naja fuxi.
The name “Fuxi” is believed to derive from Fuxi in Chinese mythology, one of the ancestors of humanity who is depicted as half-human, half-snake.
The Fuxi Cobra was once considered a part of the Indo-Chinese Cobra but was later identified as a separate species (Photo: ResearchGate).
The Fuxi Cobra typically inhabits forests at altitudes of 1,000 to 1,400 meters, on gentle slopes or at forest edges. This species is found in southwestern China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In Vietnam, this species is commonly found in the mountainous areas of the Northwest.
The Fuxi Cobra is a medium-sized snake, measuring 70 to 140 centimeters in length. This snake usually has a brown or dark-colored body, with juveniles typically darker than adults.
In general, distinguishing between the Fuxi Cobra and the Indo-Chinese Cobra is not easy and requires in-depth knowledge.
The diet of the Fuxi Cobra includes amphibians, birds, rodents, or other snake species. Occasionally, the Fuxi Cobra may enter human-inhabited areas to hunt or eat domesticated poultry.
Siamese Cobra
The Siamese Cobra (scientific name Naja siamensis), also known as the spitting cobra or commonly referred to as the cat cobra, is a cobra species widely distributed in Southeast Asia. This snake is found in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
In Vietnam, this snake is typically distributed in the provinces of the Mekong Delta and southern regions such as Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, An Giang, Tien Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, etc.
Compared to other cobra species, the cat cobra usually has a brighter coloration, with white spots and stripes appearing on its body. They measure from 0.9 to 1.2 meters in length and can reach a maximum length of 1.6 meters.
The spitting distance of this species can reach up to 2 meters.
True to its name “spitting cobra,” the cat cobra, in addition to its ability to attack with venomous fangs, can spit venom to attack enemies from a distance. The spitting distance can reach up to 2 meters. Typically, the snake will use venom spitting to intimidate threats before resorting to biting as a means of attack.
If a human or other animals are hit by the spitting venom on an open wound, it can lead to poisoning similar to a snake bite. If venom gets into the eyes, it can cause pain, temporary blindness, or even permanent blindness. If someone is sprayed in the eyes, they should immediately rinse their eyes under running water to wash away the venom.
The cat cobra has a wide range of habitats and can be found in lowland areas, wetlands, agricultural lands, rubber plantations, and cultivated areas. Thus, they may encounter humans as they invade human-inhabited areas to hunt for rodents.
The diet of the cat cobra includes amphibians, rodents, birds, and small carnivorous animals.
The cat cobra typically lays 13 to 20 eggs per clutch. The eggs hatch after 48 to 70 days, depending on the incubation temperature. Newly hatched snakes possess venom as dangerous as that of adult snakes, capable of killing an adult human with a single bite.
Why Is the King Cobra Not Listed Among the Cobras Found in Vietnam?
After reading the list above, many readers may wonder why only four species of cobras are found in Vietnam, and what about the King Cobra?
The King Cobra (scientific name Ophiophagus hannah), commonly referred to as the “cobra king” in Vietnam, is not a member of the true cobra genus (Naja) but is the sole species in the genus Ophiophagus.
The reason the King Cobra is also referred to as a cobra king is that it can raise its head and flare its hood to threaten enemies, but the hood of the King Cobra is usually smaller compared to true cobras.
The King Cobra is not a true cobra, although it can still flare its hood and raise its head (Image: Wikipedia).
The King Cobra also has many differences in morphology and biological characteristics compared to cobras, such as being larger and longer (the King Cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world, capable of exceeding 5 meters in length). The King Cobra is a snake-eater, preying on both venomous and non-venomous snakes. In times of food scarcity, the King Cobra may even consume its own kind.
The King Cobra plays a crucial role in controlling the population of snakes within its habitat and regulating its own species population in cases where the number of snakes in the area declines.
What to Do If a Cobra Slithers Into Your Home?
Above are the four species of cobras found in Vietnam. These species share common characteristics, including the ability to flare their hoods, raise their heads, and possess dangerously lethal venom.
Distinguishing between cobra species can be challenging for those without specialized knowledge. Therefore, if you encounter any snake that can flare its hood and raise its head, you should be cautious and try to stay as far away from it as possible.
You should not attempt to capture cobras when they enter your home, as this can lead to the risk of being bitten, resulting in dangerous accidents (Image: SIFASV).
If a cobra slithers into your home, you need to remain calm, keep a safe distance from the snake, use your phone or recording device to capture images of the snake, and then send these images to snake specialists or local rescue services for assistance.
Images of the snake species recorded can also be very useful in case of a snake bite, as they help doctors determine the appropriate treatment and use the correct antivenom for the specific type of snake involved.
While waiting for rescue teams or snake handlers to arrive, residents should always keep an eye on the snake, preventing it from escaping their sight and hiding in dark corners of the house.
If you cannot contact rescue services or reptile experts, residents can use a pole, a long broom handle, and a container to capture the snake. Afterwards, use the pole or broom handle to guide or hook the snake into the container, sealing it tightly to prevent escape.
If capturing or relocating the snake is not feasible to avoid danger, residents may consider the last resort of eliminating the creature to ensure the safety of themselves and their families.
If someone is bitten by a snake, it is important to reassure the victim to stay calm, avoid excessive movement that could increase heart rate, and keep the bite location lower than the heart to slow the spread of venom. Then, promptly take the victim to a medical facility. Measures such as cutting the wound, sucking out venom, or applying herbal remedies may worsen the victim’s condition.
