| Chinese cobra | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Naja |
| Species: | N. atra |
| Binomial name | |
| Naja atra Cantor, 1842[1] |
|
The Chinese cobra (Naja atra), also called Taiwan cobra, is a species of cobra in the Elapidae family, found mostly in southern China and Taiwan.[2][3][4] Theodore Edward Cantor first described the iridescent black monocled cobra from Chusan Island in 1842.[5] It is one of the most prevalent venomous snakes in Taiwan, which has caused many snakebite incidents to humans.
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This medium-sized snake is usually 1.2–1.5 metres (3.9–4.9 ft) long, but they can grow to a maximum length of 2 metres (6.6 ft).[2] The dorsal color of the Chinese cobra is usually brown, grey or black,[3] with or without narrow, light transverse lines at irregular intervals which are especially prominent in juveniles.[2] The dorsal scales are smooth and very glossy. The head is broad, roughly triangular and slightly distinct from neck; body is moderately heavy, slightly flattened, and may be considerably flattened when angry; tail is short. Nostrils large and conspicuous. Eye is medium-sized; iris is dark dirty yellow dappled with dark gray black to blue-black and pupil is round, jet black. The hood mark shape of the snake is highly variable, it can be spectacle, mask, horseshoe or O-shape.[6] [3][4] It has clearly defined throat area usually with a black transverse band and 2 black spots above the band.[4]
23-29 scale rows around hood (usually 25-27); 19-21 just ahead mid-body (usually 21); ventral scales 161-180 (usually 171 in males, 173 in females); subcaudal scales 37-51 pairs (usually 48 in males, 46 in females).[2][3][4]
The Chinese cobra is easily confused with the Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia). But it is most easily distinguished by virtue of having lower ventral and subcaudal scale counts, particularly when sex is taken into account.[3]
This species is found in southeastern China (including the provinces of Hainan, Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, and Zhejiang), Hong Kong, northern Laos, northern Vietnam, and Taiwan, where it is much more common in the south.[2][3][4]
Its typical habitat is woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, and mangroves. This species is adaptable to a wide range of terrain including grassland plains, jungle, open fields and even heavily populated regions.[7] It usually hides under leaves, sticks, and rocks.[4]
The Chinese cobra is a very alert, seldom cornered, but if confronted will raise its forebody and spread its hood and strike readily if necessary. Adults can be very aggressive, but the younger tend to be more aggressive.[7] The Chinese cobra usually escapes to avoid confrontation with humans, but strikes readily if provoked. The snake is terrestrial and mainly nocturnal, capable of spitting its venom in defense and particularly fond of water. Most active late afternoon and early evening. Tends to make an escape if disturbed.[8]
The Chinese Cobra mainly preys on rodents, frogs, toads and other snakes. It is active during both the day and night.[2][4]
The Chinese cobra is among the most venomous of the true cobras (genus Naja). Its venom consists mainly of a postsynaptic neurotoxins, hemotoxins and cardiotoxins.[9] The LD50 values of its venom in mice are 0.29 mg/kg IV,[10] and a range of 0.53 mg/kg[2] - 0.67 mg/kg[10] SC. The average venom yield from a snake of this species kept at a snake farm was about 250.8 mg (80 mg dry weight).[2] Some individuals (mostly the specimens from Guizhou Province) might spit venom towards the enemy with a distance of 2 metres (6.6 ft).[2][4]
Local symptoms in victims caused by Chinese cobra are wound darkening, localized redness and swelling, pain, insensibility, and invariably blisters and necrosis. Necrosis is a serious problem in cases of cobra bite as it may persist for many years after the general recovery of the victim. The following systemic symptoms may also occur: chest discomfort, fever, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, loss of voice, weak feeling in limbs, walking haltingly, general ache, lockjaw, and difficulty in breathing. Fatality occasionally occurs.[2] The anti-venom is widely available and deaths are much rarer than they used to be.
