Why are Indian cobras often found near villages and cities?

Indian cobras (Naja naja) are frequently encountered in villages and cities primarily because their main prey—the black rat (Rattus rattus) and other rodents—are commonly found in areas populated by humans.1

While these snakes inhabit a diverse range of environments, including savannas, grasslands, and tropical rainforests, their presence in human settlements is a direct result of the availability of food sources associated with human activity. This proximity leads to relatively frequent human encounters, which can be dangerous given that the Indian cobra is a highly venomous species.1