Reptiles
Monocled Cobra
Naja kaouthia
Beside a village pond in Thailand, a monocled cobra rises from the grass and spreads its hood, the single ring on its back gleaming like an eye.
Overview
The monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia, is a Least Concern venomous snake of wetlands, rice paddies, and forest edges in eastern India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and southern China. Its single hood ring, wetland habits, and tissue-damaging bite make it one of the most important venomous snakes of South and Southeast Asia.
A cobra with one eye on its back
The ring on the back of the monocled cobra’s hood is a single circle, which sets it apart from the paired spectacle marks of the more familiar Indian cobra.
Status
Least Concern, widespread across a large range.
Monocled Cobra: common questions
Why is it called the monocled cobra?
It is named for the single pale ring on the back of its hood, which looks like a monocle.
How is it different from the Indian cobra?
It has a single ring on the back of its hood, while the Indian cobra has a paired spectacle mark.
Is the monocled cobra dangerous?
Yes, its venom affects the nerves and can destroy tissue around the bite, so any bite needs urgent medical treatment.
Where is the monocled cobra found?
It lives in wetlands, rice paddies, and forest edges in eastern India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and southern China.