A brief study paper on Naja naja- the cobra of India including their classification, life style, habit habitat, reproduction, etc. It will help you to get a total idea about the species of Phylum- Reptilia.

20. VENOM IN Naja naja
The Indian cobra's venom mainly contains a
powerful post-synaptic neurotoxin
and cardiotoxin. The venom acts on the synaptic
gaps of the nerves, thereby paralyzing muscles, and
in severe bites leading to respiratory
failure or cardiac arrest. The venom components
include enzymes such as hyaluronidase that
cause lysis and increase the spread of the venom.
Envenomation symptoms may manifest between
15 minutes and 2 hours following the bite.

21. In mice, the SC LD50 range for this species is
0.45 mg/kg – 0.75 mg/kg. The average venom yield
per bite is between 169 and 250 mg. Though it is
responsible for many bites, only a small percentage
are fatal if proper medical treatment and anti-
venom are given. Mortality rate for untreated bite
victims can vary from case to case, depending upon
the quantity of venom delivered by the individual
involved. According to one study, it is
approximately 20–30%. but in another study
involving victims who were given prompt medical
treatment, the mortality rate was only 9%.

22. The Indian cobra is one of the big four snakes of South
Asia which are responsible for the majority of human deaths
by snakebite in Asia. Polyvalent serum is available for
treating snakebites caused by these species. Zedoary, a local
spice with a reputation for being effective against
snakebite, has shown promise in experiments testing its
activity against cobra venom.
The venom of young cobras has been used as a substance of
abuse in India, with cases of snake charmers being paid for
providing bites from their snakes. Though this practice is
now seen as outdated, symptoms of such abuse include loss
of consciousness, euphoria, and sedation.
As of November 2016, an antivenom is currently being
developed by the Costa Rican Clodomiro Picado Institute,
and clinical trial phase in Sri Lanka.

23. VENOM GLAND
IN
Naja naja

24. SYMPTOMS OF INDIAN COBRA VENOM
• It is a neurotoxin. The effects are observed with in half an hour.
• Symptoms are giddiness, high pulse rate, extreme salivation,
partial paralysis of tongue and larynx, vomiting and contraction
of pupil. Difficulty in breathing & swallowing.
• The eye remains sensitive to light and consciousness remains
undistributed.
• Breathing becomes slow and the patient dies within an hour
due to failure of breathing.
• The patient feels severe pain and burning sensation in the
wound.
• Swelling occurs. A red colored fluid starts oozing.
• Saliva starts oozing from the mouth. Vomiting and convulsions
may also occur.
• It paralyses the nerve centres causing death by stopping the
breathing and heart failure.

25. TREATEMENT OF A COBRA BITE
• Cobra bite is usually fatal. The fatality depends mostly on the quantity of
venom injected by the snake.
• To treat the snake bite, one shouldn’t waste time on mythological belief.
• The patient should be taken to the nearby medical centre to be treated
with antivenins.
• Immediately after the bite, stop the spread of venom in the body by
applying a tourniquet or ligature 5 to 10 cm above the wound in the direction
of the heart . It restricts the blood flow.
• Wash the spot with clean water. An incision about 1 cm deep should be
done near about the wound with the help of a sterilized blade.
• First let out some blood by pressure and suck out some blood with a
suction cup but never by mouth. Always help the victims to keep in relaxed
mood.
• Control the complications caused by antivenin, such as the fever “serum
disease”, an allergic reaction to the foreign proteins of the serum.
• The polyvalent serum should be injected preferably intravenously as soon
as possible after the bite.

30. How well can they smell ?
Cobras have a “Jacobsen’s Organ” (like most snakes) that gives
them super smelling ability. They can sense tiny changes in
temperature, which helps them track their prey at night.
Can they hear ?
Cobras can hear, although they sense sound through contact with
the ground much better than humans.
How heavy are Cobras ?
They vary in weight, depending on species, from only a few ounces
for a typical African Ringhals, to 35 lbs. for a large King.
How old do they get ?
Cobras typically live up to 20 years or more, when they’re in the
wild.

31. How powerful is their venom?
Cobras venom is not the strongest there is, but cobras can inject so much
venom in a single bite that they can kill an elephant. Sea snakes have
deadlier venom, and rattlesnakes have weaker venom. Anyway, if you
plan to be around venomous snakes – always have a Snakebite First
Aid Kit close by. Coghalan’S Snake Bite Kit is one good option.
Are they poisonous?
Cobras are not poisonous, they are venomous. This means that even
though they have deadly venom in their sacs, the rest of the snake
is edible to predators, if they are brave enough to
try!
HOW CAN SNAKE CHARMERS AVOID DEATH ?
Many snake charmers remove the fangs or the venom sacs from
their snakes, because it is too dangerous.

32. This practice is illegal, and is considered inhumane to the snake. For those
of you who want to do something about it, if by teaching others or helping
those who teach, I urge you to visit ASP, an American nonprofit
organization dedicated to changing the way people view and treat snakes.
For our readers from India there is the famous non-profit
organization “Friends of Snakes Society”, founded in 1995, which is
dedicated to the protection of, and public education about, snakes.
What is the Cobra Hood made of ?
As Cobras grow bigger, their beautiful hood becomes a spectacle, but how
does it work? Well, A cobras hood is created by the extension of the ribs
behind the snakes’ head. It is primarily used to make the Cobra appear
bigger and scarier. This amazing hood contains loose skin which the Cobra
can inflate with air from his lungs, expanding the movable ribs.

33. What did scientists discover about the Hood ?
In 2010, scientists from the Washington State University in the U.S
uncovered the mechanism behind the menacing “hood flare” that Cobras
deploy for defensive means. The scientists measured the electrical
activity of the Cobra’s muscles, and discovered the exact group of
muscles used to raise the hoods. There were only 8 muscles found to be
involved in the “hooding”. The interesting fact is, that these muscles
were also present in non-hooding snakes. The scientists further claim
that the Cobra’s hood evolved as its ribs were “co-opted” to be used in
this unique visual display. These findings were reported in the Journal
of Experimental Biology.
What do the Cobras eat ?
Cobras will gladly devour birds, fish, frogs, toads, lizards, eggs and
chicks raided from poultry houses, in addition to small mammals such
as rabbits and rats, and even other snakes.

34. Did you know that Cobras are at the top of the food
chain ?
Their only natural predators are the mongoose, a few large birds of prey
like the Secretary Bird, and man of course.
How smart are Cobras ?
Cobras are very intelligent, and can learn quickly, which helps them avoid
dangerous areas. As a Cobra owner for many years, John Klein wrote a
great post on the Cobra’s snake brain and intelligence.
Do Cobras always inject their venom ?
This is surely among the most surprising Cobra facts on this list. Do you
know that Cobras don’t always inject venom when they bite something ?
Well, they can do a dry bite if the choose to, without injecting the venom
automatically. However you can never know what a Cobra will do, so for
any case whatever, it’s always wise to have a Snake Bite First Aid Kit at
hand.

35. What is the treatment for a Cobra Bite?
The best special medicine given to Cobra bite victims called “antivenin”, is made
from Cobra venom.
How dangerous are babies ?
This might sound surprising, but baby cobras have full strength venom and can
defend themselves exactly like their parents! So don’t be tempted to play with cute
baby cobras.
Are Cobras legal ?
Obviously it is illegal to keep a cobra as a pet. Well that is at least the case in most
places, because Cobras are so dangerous if handled by the wrong people.
CONCLUSION:
Hence it is all about “Naja naja- The Cobra of Hindustan”.
It is a major Indian species. So it’s our duty to save them
from extinction.