| Cobra | |
|---|---|
 Egyptian Cobra | |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Elapidae |
| Genus | Naja |
| Species | N. naja |
Naja is a genus of venomous elapid snakes. Although several other genera share the common name, Naja species are the most recognized and most widespread group of snakes commonly known as cobras. The genus Naja consists of 20 to 22 species, but has undergone several taxonomic revisions in recent years, so sources vary greatly.
Etymology[]
The origin of this genus name is from the Old Indic nāga, cognate with English 'snake', Germanic: *snēk-a-, Proto-IE: *(s)nēg-o-.
Description[]
Different Naja species vary in length and most are relatively slender-bodied snakes. Most species are capable of attaining lengths of 1.84 m (6.0 ft). Maximum lengths for some of the larger species of cobra are around 3.1 m (10 ft), with the forest cobra arguably being the longest species. All have a characteristic ability to raise the front quarters of their bodies off the ground and flatten their necks to appear larger to a potential predator.
Species[]
Anchieta's Cobra, Naja anchietae Banded Water Cobra, Naja annulata Snouted Cobra, Naja annulifera Arabian Cobra, Naja arabica Giant Spitting Cobra, Naja ashei Chinese Cobra, Naja atra Congo Water Cobra, Naja christyi Egyptian Cobra, Naja haje Monocled Cobra, Naja kaouthia West African Spitting Cobra, Naja katiensis Burmese Spitting Cobra, Naja mandalayensis Forest Cobra, Naja melanoleuca Mozambique Spitting Cobra, Naja mossambica Burrowing Cobra, Naja multifasciata Indian Cobra, Naja naja Zebra Spitting Cobra, Naja nigricincta Black-necked Spitting Cobra, Naja nigricollis Cape Cobra, Naja nivea Nubian Spitting Cobra, Naja nubiae Caspian Cobra, Naja oxiana Red Spitting Cobra, Naja pallida Philippine Cobra, Naja philippinensis Andaman Cobra, Naja sagittifera Samar Cobra, Naja samarensis Senegalese Cobra, Naja senegalensis Indo-chinese Spitting Cobra, Naja siamensis Javan Spitting Cobra, Naja sputatrix Equatorial Spitting Cobra, Naja sumatrana