India is a natural habitat for the different kind of snakes and cobras. Cobras being the most poisonous ones, their bite can cause sudden death. Among all, King Cobras are the most venomous and dangerous. As the name suggests, it is regarded as the king of snakes. Indian cobras are fierce in nature, and with his open fangs and movements can paralyze anyone.
The average length of an Indian cobra usually varies from six feet long to eight feet long. They can be found in fields, jungles, bushy areas, mostly where there is a lot of humidity and a cooler climate. Indian cobras prey on rodents, lizards, frogs, other snakes as well as small birds. This is also the reason why they come to the areas where people are living in search of their food. Indian Cobras are oviparous. They do not have ears, so they cannot hear. However, they feel the vibrations from the ground. The venom of Indian Cobras is highly poisonous. The average life expectancy of cobras in India is from 12 years to 15 years.
It is quite amazing to know that in India, people worship snakes and cobras. They relate them to their holy Gods. There is a special day “Nag Panchami”, dedicated to them where devotees offer milk, fruits, seek their blessings and worship them. It is a big festival in India.
In many parts of India, you will find snake charmers too. A snake charmer is a person who keeps a snake or a cobra with him in a special basket made of wicker. He has a musical pipe with him which he plays for the cobra to dance to his tune. People or children usually think that the cobra is swaying to the tunes of snake charmer’s pipe. However, they have no ears, so they cannot listen. They actually sway to the movements of the snake charmer’s pipe and the vibrations they can feel from the ground of his tapping.
In olden times, people loved to watch the fight between the cobra and the mongoose. They would put their bets on their favorite one, and the fight would end when one of them is killed. Though with times, these cruel fights have come to an end and made illegal. The skin of cobras as famous too and used to make handbags, clutch bags, belts, wallets. Cobras have always been a point of fascination for everyone.