Snake charmers

On the rear of the snake's hood are two circular ocelli patterns connected by a curved line, evoking the image ofspectacles. Hindus believe them to be the footmarks of Krishna, who danced on Kāliyā, the hundred and ten hooded snake's head. An average cobra is about 1.9 meters (6 feet) in length and rarely as long as 2.4 meters (nearly 8 feet). The most distinctive and impressive characteristic of the Indian cobra is the hood, which it forms by raising the anterior portion of the body and spreading some of the ribs in its neck region when it is threatened. ^[3] The spectacle pattern on the hood varies greatly, as does the overall colour of the snake.^[4]

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An additional line is seen above the spectacle in this cobra. This is just one of the many different patterns that can be found on a cobra.

The genus name Naja comes from Sanskrit word "Naga" (नाग). The Indian cobra^[5][6] or spectacled cobra,^[2] being common in South Asia, is referred to by a number of local names deriving from the root of Nag (नाग) (Hindi, Oriya, Marathi), Moorkan (Malayalam), Naya (Sinhalese), Nagu Pamu (Telugu),^[6] Nagara Havu (Kannada),^[6] Naga Pambu orNalla pambu (நாகப் பாம்பு/நல்ல பாம்பு) (Tamil)^[6] "Phetigom" (Assamese) and Gokhra (Bengali).

The Oriental ratsnake Ptyas mucosus is often mistaken for the cobra; however this snake is much longer and can easily be distinguished by the more prominent ridged appearance of its body. Other snakes that resemble Naja naja are the banded racer Argyrogena fasciolata and the Indian smooth snak