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cobra
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
A Cape cobra (Naja nivea) with its hood expanded, upright in green grass, showing its brown and yellow patterned scales.
Close-up of a king cobra overlaid with question marks, a drawn crown, and an arrow pointing to the snake
An Indian cobra, or Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja), is shown with its hood expanded, displaying distinctive markings. A scale bar compares 10 centimeters to 4 inches for reference.
The video thumbnail image shows a spitting cobra shooting venom from its teeth.
Black-necked cobra (Naja nigricollis) Mozambique spitting cobra cobra cape cobra An Egyptian cobra with dark, glossy scales is coiled and raising its hooded head, facing forward with its tongue extended. king cobra
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cobra: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Local Cytotoxic Effects in Cobra Envenoming: A Pilot Study. Nov 01, 2026
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Local Cytotoxic Effects in Cobra Envenoming: A Pilot Study. Sep 01, 2026
Add new Web site: Nature India - King cobra has four species, not one. Jan 17, 2026
Media added. Apr 02, 2025
Noted that all four species of king cobras comprise the genus Ophiophagus. Feb 03, 2025
Media added. Jan 13, 2025
Add new Web site: Queensland Government - Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Cobra (all species). Jul 11, 2024
Add new Web site: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute - King cobra. Jun 02, 2023
Add new Web site: A-Z Animals - Cobras. Mar 09, 2023
Add new Web site: Easy Science For Kids - Cobras � The World�s Largest Poisonous Snake. Mar 28, 2017
Changed "Asian cobra (Naja naja)" to "Indian cobra (or Indian spectacled cobra, Naja naja)." Mar 07, 2017
Added illustration focusing on the head and neck of the Indian cobra (Naja naja). Mar 07, 2017
Add new Web site: LiveScience - Facts About Cobras. Oct 18, 2016
Add new Web site: San Diego Zoo - Cobra. Aug 27, 2014
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Cobra Snake. Dec 23, 2013
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Cobra. Aug 29, 2013
Add new Web site: Animal Planet - Cobra. Aug 29, 2013
Add new Web site: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Animals and Plants - Cobra. Aug 29, 2013
Added image of a king cobra. Feb 13, 2013
Media added. Feb 07, 2012
Add new Web site: Iloveindia.com - Cobra. Sep 27, 2011
Media added. Aug 29, 2011
Article revised and updated. Jul 11, 2007
Media added. Mar 16, 2007
Added new Web site: Cobra Information Site. Jun 29, 2006
Article revised. Apr 22, 2005
Article added to new online database. May 04, 1999
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