What is Naja or Cobra?
Classification:
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Squamata
Class: Reptilia
Genus: Naja.
Habitat: It is a terrestrial snake, generally found in thick vegetation, under stones, rat-infested houses, etc. It is commonly found in South Asia and Africa. It is commonly called Cobra.
Habits:
(1) It is diurnal.
(ii) It creeps very fast by lateral undulation of body..
(iii) It is carnivorous and feeds upon frogs, lizards, birds and rats. (iv) It hibernates in winter.
(v) Its head is rigid, expands its neck as a hood, sways back and forth and hisses loudly through the nostrils. (vi) Sexes are unisexual. Fertilization is internal and female is oviparous. Development is direct.
External characters :
(i) Body is divisible head, neck, trunk and tail. Head contains mouth, eyes and nostrils.
(i) Neck expands to form hood, which contains binocellate mark on dorsal surface.
(iii) Eyes are with narrow pupil.
(iv) Tail shields on the undersurface of the tail in a double row.
(v) Body is covered by smooth, oblique scales.
(vi) Poison fangs are followed by 1-3 small teeth. Nostrils are large and vertically elliptical.
Economic importance: Naja is very common in India. It is worshiped on Nagpanchami day.
COBRA OR NAJA
