Naja naja - Indian cobra, Spectacled cobra (E); Naya, Nagaya (S)

There is only one species of cobra (Indian cobra or Spectacled cobra) found in Sri Lanka. It is a deadly venomous species, and is the most commonly known venomous snake, amongst people in the island. 

Toxicity: Deadly venomous
Size: 180 cm

Colouration:

The colour on its back varies from dark brown to dark reddish brown or dark grey to grayish black with white or light yellow cross bars. The secross bars are either incomplete or complete with sets of four to six bands grouped at times. Hood contains a large usually white-coloured spectacle shaped marking, and the surrounding area is reddish. The ventral or the underside may vary from white to pale yellow to light brown, while some may have a single colouration, others may have cross bars or blotching

Simple identification: 

It forms a distinctive hood, raising its body and displaying the prominent spectacle shaped marking on the head. When the hood has not expanded, the easiest way to identify this snake is by the observing its rostral scale, the area below the eye which is outlined in black. The sub-caudal scales on the underside of its tail are divided.

The prominent, large spectacle shaped marking
on the hood of a cobra which is commonly
white.

 







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Distribution: < 2000 m asl.

Behavior:

It is a diurnal species that is rarely nocturnal (but large sized cobras may be encountered at night very rarely). Commonly found in and around human settlements, paddy fields, under piled-up goods, piled-up coconut husks etc. A potentially non-aggressive species, but if threatened or provoked will expand its hood and warns by its fake attacks. Feeds on: Small mammals, frogs, lizards, monitors, other snakes, birds and their eggs etc. Juveniles may consume skinks, geckoes etc. Reproduction: They lay 20-40 eggs per clutch.