Siamese Cobra

1 Overview

The Siamese cobra is a famous highly venomous snake, but unlike other venomous snakes it usually does not hurt enemies by biting — instead it sprays toxin onto them. If the toxin enters the eyes it causes severe poisoning or blindness.

WARNING: This is a dangerously venomous elapid. Its venom is neurotoxic and can be spat accurately at the eyes from up to 3 metres, causing intense pain and temporary or permanent blindness; bites cause pain, swelling and tissue necrosis. It is not suitable for casual or home keepers.

It is distributed across Southeast Asia — Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. (It reaches Guangdong, China via trade, where it is called the ‘Thai cobra’.)

Chinese Name: Siamese Cobra (Indochinese Spitting Cobra)

Binomial: Naja siamensis

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Family: Elapidae

Subfamily: Elapinae

Genus: Naja

Distribution: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar.

2 Physical Characteristics

It is called the Thai cobra because it was imported from Thailand, and it has very large, bright eyes. Especially when threatened it rears up and flares its hood with a ferocious stare. If the opponent does not retreat, it sprays toxin at the head from up to 3 metres, then flees — biting only last.

It is a medium-sized, rather stout cobra. It is grey, brown or black with white spots or stripes that can cover the whole body, making it look entirely white. It is 0.9-1.2 m, some up to 1.6 m. It resembles the Bengal cobra in size and appearance and shares a similar habitat.

3 General Care

It is oviparous. Unless you are a professional handler, home keepers are advised not to breed it — its toxin attacks the nerves; a bite brings pain, swelling and necrosis and is very dangerous at home.

Females lay 13-28 eggs, incubation 48-70 days. Hatchlings are independent immediately at about 12-20 cm and are as deadly as adults. It is mainly nocturnal; by day it shows varied behaviour, usually shy and fleeing, but at dusk it becomes aggressive. Toxin in the eyes causes instant pain and temporary or permanent blindness; some cases are fatal.