Chinese cobra
Chinese cobra | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Elapidae |
Genus: | Naja |
Species: | N. atra
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Binomial name | |
Naja atra | |
Naja atra distribution | |
Synonyms[4] | |
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The Chinese cobra (Naja atra), also called the Taiwan cobra, is a species of
incidents to humans.Etymology and names
Naja atra was first described by
In
Description
This medium-sized snake is usually 1.2 to 1.5 metres (3.9 to 4.9 ft) long, but they can grow to a maximum length of 2 metres (6.6 ft) though this is rare.[5]
The hood mark shape is variable from spectacle, mask to horseshoe or O- shape and is often linked to light throat area on at least one side. The throat area is clearly defined light which is usually with a pair of clearly defined lateral spots.[6]
The Chinese cobra is iridescent black with a number of distant transversal double lines of a yellow colour. The abdominal surface is pearl or slaty coloured.[8] The dorsal color of the Chinese cobra is usually brown, grey or black,[6] with or without narrow, light transverse lines at irregular intervals which are especially prominent in juveniles.[5][7][10]
Like other elapids, this is a
Scalation
There are 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).[5][6][7] Anal scale is entire.
Identification
The Chinese cobra is sometimes confused with the Monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia). But it can be easily distinguished by virtue of having lower ventral and subcaudal scale counts, particularly when sex is taken into account.[6]
Distribution and habitat
This species is found in southeastern China (including the provinces of Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Zhejiang, Hong Kong and the Island province of Hainan and Taiwan), northern Laos, northern Vietnam, where it is much more common in the south.[5][6][7][11]
Its typical habitat is
Behavior
Adults can be very aggressive, but the younger tend to be more aggressive as they are more nervous to the things surrounding them.
Reproduction
Like other species of cobra, it is an
Venom
The Chinese cobra is a highly venomous member of the true cobras (genus Naja).[14]
The
In Taiwan there were 593 recorded cases of envenomation by the Chinese cobra from 1904 to 1938; of those, 87 cases were fatal, which is a 15% mortality rate. This is higher than mortality rates for Naja naja (the Indian cobra).[16]
Local symptoms in victims caused by a Chinese cobra bite are wound darkening, localized redness and
References
- . Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ "Naja atra". ITIS Standard Report Page. ITIS.gov. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Naja atra". Taxonomy of Elapids. Reptile-Database. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
- ^ ISBN 9971-62-217-3. Archived from the originalon 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Asiatic Naja". Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
- ^ ISBN 988-211-326-5.
- ^ a b Cantor, T. E. (1842). "General Features of Chusan, with remarks on the Flora and Fauna of that Island". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. IX: 482–492. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ISBN 978-3-642-29026-8.
- ^ a b c d "Chinese cobra (Naja atra)". Snakes of Taiwan. snakesoftaiwan.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
- ^ ISBN 0-916984-28-1.
- ^ a b c "Naja atra – General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms". WCH Clinical Toxinology Resource. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
- ISBN 0-691-12436-1.
- PMID 7263715. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ ISBN 0-89673-110-3.
- ^ LCCN 73-229.