Cobras

There are many different types of cobras, such as the Banded Egyptian Cobra, Monocellate Cobra and the King Cobra.

Blue and gold banded, this snake was highly regarded by the acient Egyptians even adorning the headresses of the Pharaohs. It seems only fitting that this is the snake that Cleopatra took her own life. This snake can reach an average length of 8 feet and can be found throughout much of Africa.
 * Banded Egyptian Cobra**

This snake is different from others because it has a single yellow or orange O-shaped mark on the hood. Their colors are usually olive brown or black in color. They feed on rats, frogs, birds, eggs, lizards and other snakes including other cobras. Their mating season is in January and the majority of eggs are laid in April or May. Their fangs are about 7 mm long. Their venom is a clear, viscid fluid looking similar to olive oil. Their poisons are mainly neurotoxin and blood and cell destroyers. Their neurotoxin paralyses the respiratory center and is the main cause of death. Other deadly effects could include loss of clotting power of the blood and destruction of red blood cells.
 * Monocellate Cobra--??????????????**

The largest of all venomous snakes in the world, this specimen currently on exhibit is 12 feet 3 inches long. Despite it massive size, it is not an aggressive species and bites to humans are rare. However when attacked, the king cobra will coil, raise its body and flatten its neck into a long narrow hood. The large venom glands holds enough venom to kill an Asian elephant. The king cobra feeds primarily on non venomous snake species, but will also take venomous snakes as well. They are canablistic and will prey on smaller species of their own kind, large monitor lizards often fall prey to the King cobra as well. The king cobra is the only snake known to construct a nest in which to incubate eggs. The nests consists of leaves, twigs and other vegetations scraped together with the female's coil. Both the male and female guard the nest.
 * King Cobra**


 * Reference:** http://www.indianetzone.com/4/cobra.htm