Cobras
Let's Learn About Cobras
Word of the Week
Toxungen
A toxungen is a toxin that is sprayed, spit, or smeared onto another animal. It is not injected or eaten by the other animal.
Spitting cobras use a toxungen to defend themselves from predators.
Fast Facts
Where do cobras live?
Cobras are found in Africa and Asia.
Cobras live in a variety of different habitats, typically habitats that are warm for most of the year. They can be found in forests, grasslands, savannas, and even close to people, like in farms. Some species are even found in hot deserts.
What do cobras eat?
Cobras are carnivores. They eat meat.
Cobras mainly eat small animals, such as mice, rats, squirrels, or rabbits. They may also eat amphibians, birds, lizards, or even other snakes.
What traits do cobras share?
Cobras have many fascinating traits, including...
- Flexible neck muscles and ribs to form a hood.
- The ability to stand upright.
- Small fangs.
- Dangerous venom.
- The ability to smell with their tongue.
How many cobras are there?
Cobras are a genus of snakes with 38 identified species. Scientists have long debated how many species of cobras exist.
Several species are considered to be vulnerable to extinction. The main threat that cobras face is habitat loss. Many of the habitats they rely on are being converted to farms and cities. Cobras are also killed out of fear or taken from the wild.
Conservation Corner
Snake Charming
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Cobra Challenge
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Learn More!
Glossary
Adaptation
The process by which a species becomes more fit for its environment over the course of several generations. It is a result of natural selection.
Ambush
Sneak attack.
Button
An individual segment of a rattlesnake's rattle.
Camouflage
The ability for an organism to blend into their surroundings usually to hide from prey or predators.
Carnivore
An animal that eats other animals.
Ectotherm
An animal that relies on the outside temperature to regulate their body temperature (reptiles and amphibians). Also known as cold-blooded.
Habitat Loss
When habitats are destroyed and changed into human-managed land such as farms or cities.
Infrared Radiation
A type of electromagnetic radiation that is created by objects that give off heat.
Keratin
A structural protein that makes up hair, nails, feathers, horns, and claws.
Pheromones
A communication chemical used to signal information to members of the same species.
Predator
An animal that hunts other animals for food.
Prey
An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.
Rattlesnake Roundups
A mass-killing event of rattlesnakes typically occurring in the southeastern United States.
Reptile
A group of ectothermic (cold-blooded) vertebrates that are covered in scales and generally lay eggs.
Species
A closely related group of animals with similar characteristics that are capable of reproducing (example: tigers).
Venom
A toxin that is injected into prey through teeth or a stinger.
Vomeronasal Organ
A sensory organ located in the mouths of snakes and several other animals used to detected chemicals from the air. It is also called the Jacobson's organ.
