What is a cobra?
Q: What is a cobra?
A: A cobra is a common name for various venomous snakes in the family Elapidae. They usually live in tropical and desert regions of Asia and Africa, and when feeling threatened they can tilt back and flatten their heads into their warning posture.
Q: What does "cobra" mean?
A: The word "cobra" is short for cobra de capelo or cobra-de-capelo, which is Portuguese for "snake with hood", or "hood-snake".
Q: What are some examples of cobras?
A: Examples of cobras include Naja nivea (the Cape Cobra), Naja haje (the Egyptian Cobra), Naja naja (the Asiatic Spectacled Cobra), and Naja kaouthia (the Monocled Cobra).
Q: How do cobras defend themselves?
A: Cobras defend themselves by spitting venom from their fangs in self-defence. Some species also raise the front part of the body and flatten their neck in a warning signal when alarmed.
Q: What family do most true species of cobras belong to?
A: Most true species of cobras belong to the family Elapidae.
Q: Where do most types of cobras live?
A: Most types of cobras live in tropical and desert regions of Asia and Africa.
Q: Is there any other way that a cobra defends itself besides spitting venom?
A: Yes, when feeling threatened, some species can tilt back and flatten their heads into their warning posture as another form of defence.
