Several questions may arise when you hear the word “cobra”. You may ask yourself, “what do Indian cobras eat?” You may also wonder, “how does a cobra get its food?” These are just some of the questions that you may have when learning about this venomous animal.
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Feeding
Despite the fact that Indian cobras are one of the most deadly snakes on the planet, their bite is highly treatable. They are treated by administering polyvalent anti-venom. They are categorized in the group Elapidae.
Indian cobras are found in various habitats, including the Indian subcontinent, western Southeast Asia, and Sri Lanka. They are most common in areas with water and open forest edges. They also tend to hide in termite mounds or tree hollows.
They eat various prey, including mice, rats, small rabbits, ground squirrels, and amphibians. They also hunt a variety of snakes, including banded wolf snake, Blythe’s reticulated snake, and Malabar pit viper.
They are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Females lay between seven and 48 eggs per clutch. The eggs are then stored in the oviduct, where fertilization occurs.
The incubation period for Indian Cobras is 45 to 90 days. The female guards the eggs until they hatch.
Adult Indian Cobras have a slow metabolism, which makes them able to survive for months without food. They are active during the warm seasons, and feed twice a week.
Habitat
Throughout the Indian Subcontinent, the Indian Cobra (Glaucomys acutidens) can be found in a wide range of habitats. Their habitat includes wetlands, forest, agricultural land, and urban areas.
Indian Cobras prefer to live in dense forests and open forests. They are often found near water or in mammal burrows. They also prefer rocky terrain.
Indian Cobras are found in a wide range of habitats across South Asia, including the foothills of the mountains and plains. They are also found in wetlands and in areas where there are large rodent populations.
Adult Indian Cobras grow to be about four to six feet in length. They have a small head and a moderately slender body. They are also covered with yellow markings and have a hood that spreads across their body.
The hood is a fold of skin that increases in size when the snake is threatened. It is also used as a source of shelter. They are omnivores and feed on a variety of prey.
Venomous nature
Despite the fact that snakes are a venomous slithering reptile, they do not attack humans unless they are threatened. However, they do react aggressively to rapid movements. Therefore, it is important to educate people about the snakes’ behavior.
Cobras belong to the venomous snake family Elapidae. They can be found in different habitats including forests, grasslands, farms, and aquatic environments. They are opportunistic hunters. They forage at dawn or dusk.
Cobras are considered one of the “big four” snakes of South Asia. There are roughly 300 snake species living in different regions of the country.
Although they are venomous, cobras are not considered as aggressive and do not attack humans unless they are threatened. They are solitary creatures. They prefer to live in trees, hollows, or termite mounds. They have a good night vision and are able to distinguish between the different colors of their scales. Cobras also have excellent smelling abilities. They emit hissing sounds to scare away potential threats.
Reproduction
Among the four big snakes of South Asia, the Indian cobra has a large size and is one of the venomous snakes in the world. It is found in the Indian subcontinent, as well as in South India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Adult Indian Cobras are 1.5-2 meters long. They are known to have an amazing variegated color and blue sheen. They have black eyes and a broad neck. They are often called the Speckled Cobra.
They eat rodents, frogs, snakes and other lizards. They can live without water for weeks. During the breeding season, the female lays eggs. These are laid in termite mounds or animal burrows. The eggs hatch after 48 to 69 days. The hatchlings are fully functional venom glands and measure about 20 to 30 centimeters in length.
In captivity, the Indian cobra is difficult to reproduce. A female Indian cobra lays about 30 eggs in her lifetime. She guards them until they hatch.
