Caspian cobra
| Caspian cobra | |
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| Species: | N. oxiana
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| Binomial name | |
| Naja oxiana | |
The Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana), also called the Central Asian Cobra is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae found in Central Asia.
Description
This species is medium to large in length, heavy bodied snake with long cervical ribs capable of expansion to form a hood. The body is compressed dorsoventrally and subcylindrical posteriorly. This species averages about 1 metre (3.3 ft)[3] in length and rarely reaches lengths over 1.5 metres (4.9 ft).[4] The head is elliptical, depressed, slightly distinct from the neck with a short, rounded snout and large nostrils. The eyes are medium in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth and strongly oblique with the outer 2 or 3 scale rows larger than the remainder.[3] Juveniles tend to be pale, with a faded appearance. They have noticeable dark and light cross-bands of approximately equal width around the body. Adults of this species are completely light to chocolate brown or yellowish, some retain traces of juvenile banding, especially the first few dark ventral bands. This species has no hood mark and no lateral throat spots.[4]
Scalation
23-27 (usually 25) scale rows around hood, 19-23 (usually 21) just ahead of midbody; 191-210 ventrals, 57-71 paired subcaudals; cuneates often absent.[4]
Distribution
This species is occurs in the Transcaspian Region. It is found in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan, north and east Afghanistan, northeastern Iran, northern half of Pakistan, from the Kashmir region east to the state of Himachal Pradesh in India, and southwestern Tajikistan.[3][4]
Habitat
This species is often found in arid and semi-arid, rocky or stony, shrub or scrub covered foothills at elevations up to about 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) and possibly more.[3] This is also the westernmost species of Asiatic cobra.
Behavior and ecology
This species generally has a mild disposition and always looks for an escape when encountered (juveniles tend to be more aggressive). If cornered and provoked, however, it will spread its hood, hiss, sway from side to side and strike repeatedly. This is not a spitter. This is a terrestrial species that is mainly diurnal but it may be crepuscular and nocturnal in some parts of its range during the hottest months (July and August). It is a good climber and a good swimmer. It is particularly fond of water and seldom found too far away from it. It feeds on small mammals, amphibians and birds during the evening and early morning. The Caspian cobra will prey mainly on rodents, toads and frogs, occasionally fish, birds and their eggs.[3]
Venom
The venom is mainly neurotoxic, but it also has cytotoxins.[5] The bite of this species may cause severe pain and swelling. Weakness, drowsiness and paralysis of throat may appear in less than 1 hour after the bite. Death can result due to respiratory failure.
References
- Wüster, Wolfgang (1993) A century of confusion: Asiatic cobras revisited. Vivarium, 4(4):14-18
- Eichwald, E (1831) Zoologia specialis, quam expositis animalibus tum vivis, tum fossilibus potissimuni rossiae in universum, et poloniae in specie, in usum lectionum publicarum in Universitate Caesarea Vilnensi. Zawadski, Vilnae.
- Wüster, W and Thorpe, RS (1991) Asiatic cobras: Systematics and snakebite. Experientia, 47:205-209.
- Wüster, W and Thorpe, RS (1992) Asiatic cobras: population systematics of the Naja naja species complex (Serpentes: Elapidae) in India and Central Asia. Herpetologica, 48:69-85.
- Wüster, Wolfgang (1998) The cobras of the genus Naja in India. Hamadryad, 23(1):15-32.
External links
References
- ^ "Naja oxiana". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ "Naja oxiana". ITIS Standard Report Page. ITIS.gov. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "Naja oxiana - General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms". WCH Clinical Toxinology Resource. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Species of Asiatic Naja". The Asiatic Cobra Systematics Page. Bangor University. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ Feofanov, AV (15). "Cancer cell injury by cytotoxins from cobra venom is mediated through lysosomal damage". The Biochemical Journal. 390 (1): 11–18. PMID 15847607. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
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