Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does an Indian cobra defend itself when threatened?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
snake
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus).
When threatened, the Indian cobra (Naja naja) defends itself by adopting an upright posture, raising the top third of its body, and expanding its characteristic hood while hissing to deter potential threats.1
If the threat persists, the snake may strike to deliver venom through its fangs. Unlike some other snakes, cobras cannot retract their fangs, and their bite is highly dangerous, containing neurotoxins that can cause severe symptoms such as paralysis and respiratory failure in humans.12