The cobra is a venomous snake found in Asia and Africa. Typically, the body of this snake resembles that of any other snake, but it has the ability to flatten its head into a shape resembling a hood. This is why it is also known as the hooded cobra.
The reason cobras can expand their hoods is due to their elongated ribs, which allow them to stretch the skin around their neck, forming a hood-like shape at the front of their body. They expand their hoods when they feel threatened or agitated. By doing this, the snake disguises its body as significantly larger than usual, thereby intimidating potential threats.
Cobras possess potent venom. They typically attack when provoked or threatened. Anyone bitten by this venomous snake may face death within approximately 30 minutes due to respiratory failure caused by the toxin, leading to asphyxiation and paralysis of the diaphragm. Cobras primarily feed on rodents, birds, and frogs. The most formidable natural enemies of cobras include mongooses, raptors, and humans.
Currently, cobras are distributed across various regions in Africa and Asia, with many different species. Among them, the king cobra is the largest species, reaching a maximum length of 18 feet (5.4 meters), inhabiting South Asia, particularly in India, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.