- The monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) is a highly venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae.
- It is widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia, ranging from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, extending into southern China.
- It is one of the most commonly encountered cobras in its range, often adapting to a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, and even human settlements. Its adaptability has made it both widespread and, at times, a problematic species due to frequent encounters with people.
- The species gets its common name from the distinctive circular, monocle-shaped marking found on the back of its hood, though variations in hood patterns exist. Adults typically measure between 1.2 to 1.5 meters in length, with some specimens exceeding 2 meters. The coloration of Naja kaouthia is highly variable, ranging from light brown, yellow, and gray to dark brown or nearly black, often with faint cross-bands in juveniles that fade with age. The hood, which the cobra expands when threatened, serves as a classic warning display, signaling its defensive readiness.
- Behaviorally, the monocled cobra is generally nocturnal but can also be active during the day, especially in cooler weather. It feeds on a broad diet that includes rodents, frogs, other reptiles, and occasionally birds, making it an important natural controller of pest populations. When disturbed, it raises its forebody, spreads its hood, and produces a loud hiss as a defensive display. While usually avoiding confrontation, it can deliver a swift, accurate strike if provoked. Its venom is a potent neurotoxin with cytotoxic properties, capable of causing paralysis, respiratory failure, and significant tissue damage in severe envenomations.
- Because of its potent venom and tendency to live near human settlements, Naja kaouthia is responsible for many snakebite incidents across its range, contributing significantly to snakebite-related morbidity and mortality in South Asia. Despite this, it plays a vital ecological role in regulating prey populations. In many regions, it is both feared and revered, often appearing in local folklore and religious traditions. Conservation-wise, it is not currently considered threatened due to its wide distribution and adaptability, but habitat destruction and indiscriminate killing by humans pose localized pressures.
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