Field guide
Indian cobra
නයා · naya
Naja naja
Highly venomous
A bite from this species is a medical emergency.
The iconic hooded cobra; a leading cause of fatal bites.
How to identify
1Spreads a hood with a spectacle-shaped mark when threatened
2Uniform brown to black above
3Rears up and hisses in defence
If bitten
MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Keep the victim calm and still, immobilise the bitten limb. A firm pressure bandage over the bite (neurotoxic venom) may help — do NOT cut, suck, tourniquet or ice. Watch for drooping eyelids and breathing difficulty; reach antivenom-equipped hospital immediately.
Up to 1.9 m
Length
Diurnal & nocturnal
Active
Rodents
Diet
Where it's found
Dry zoneWet zoneIntermediate zone
Paddy fields, scrub, termite mounds and around human settlements.