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Venomous Snakes
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Abhishek Jadwani:
Indian Cobra Naja naja Thangadh,Gujarat 2014 A thing of beauty.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Pradip G Goswami:
!.. Indian Cobra..! !.. KUTCH GUJARAT..!  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Ashad B Choudary: Spectacled Cobra | Habitat Image  *This image is copyright of its original author
Muzamil Shaikh:
Spectacled cobra.. from one of the herp trip in monsoon..  *This image is copyright of its original author 'Ophiophagus Hannah' - Feb14, GOA Season coming soon。。。  *This image is copyright of its original author
Chirag Jain:
Naja naja Tumakuru outskirts ,Karnataka ©CJ Photography  *This image is copyright of its original author
earthtouchnews.com:
ANATOMY OF A BLACK MAMBA Black mambas have a pretty bad rap. Shrouded in myth and misinformation, the species is widely feared across much of southern Africa for its potent venom and alleged aggressiveness. But how much do we really know about this iconic species? From its coffin-shaped head to its uniquely flexible fangs, we’re zooming in on mamba anatomy to bring you seven facts you might not know about these unique snakes. 1- FANGS Like all snakes in the Elapidae family, black mambas have fixed, hollow fangs at the front of their mouths that they use like hypodermic needles to inject venom into their prey. But what sets the mamba apart from many other elapids, like cobras and kraits, is that black mambas have an "articulating maxillary bone" that allows their fangs to rock back and forth. This slight movability in their fangs makes the black mamba a very efficient hunter, able to deliver large amounts of venom in almost every bite (dry bites are considered uncommon for the species).  *This image is copyright of its original author 2-WINDPIPE Snakes cannot bite or tear into their prey like many other predators, so instead they must swallow their meals whole. This adaptation makes breathing during eating a tricky task. So to avoid suffocation during supper, black mambas (like many other snake species) have an extendible trachea or windpipe that works kind of like a snorkel, allowing them to breathe while ingesting prey. The opening of the trachea, known as the glottis, either sticks out to the side or under the prey while it’s being consumed.  *This image is copyright of its original author 3-SALIVA It’s no secret that the venom of the black mamba is extremely potent. Mambas usually deliver about 100-120mg of venom in a single bite – that’s enough to kill 8-14 people (but don’t worry, despite their fearsome reputation, black mambas are typically shy creatures and will usually not attack unless confronted). Venom is produced by a modified salivary gland and digestive enzymes in the saliva help soften the meal while the venom takes effect. So by the time the snake swallows its meal, the prey’s insides have already started breaking down.  *This image is copyright of its original author 4-SCALES Widely considered to be one of the fastest snakes in Africa, black mambas have been clocked travelling at speeds of 11kmph (6.8mph) over short distances, and are able to navigate through thick vegetation thanks to shiny, smooth scales. Scales on the snake's belly (ventral scales) may also help the mamba move over flat surfaces. Research conducted in 2009 revealed how snake scales act as "friction hooks", gripping into rough points on the ground and helping propel the animals forward.  *This image is copyright of its original author 5-MOUTH Black mambas aren’t actually black, despite a common name that suggests otherwise. Instead, the species is named for the deep blueish-black colouration on the inside of the mouth. Their bodies come in a variety of olive-grey shades with a grey-green underbelly. Juveniles are usually lighter in colour. If confronted, mambas will often put on a startling display by flaring their neck-flaps and opening their mouth to expose the black colouration. This "deimatic behaviour" serves to scare off attackers or distract them for long enough to allow the snake to slither away.  *This image is copyright of its original author 6-VISION Not all snakes were created equal. Some species can only just distinguish between light and dark, while others, particularly arboreal species such as the boomslang, were gifted with keen eyesight. Like most diurnal snakes in South Africa, black mambas are considered to have good vision. They are able to detect motion and may strike if they pick up any sudden movement perceived as a threat. Their keen eyesight also helps them hunt for the small mammals that typically make up their diet.  *This image is copyright of its original author 7- HEAD SHAPE Not sure if that visitor in your garden is a harmless house snake or a potentially lethal mamba? Here's a clue. While most snake species have blunt, round or triangular-shaped heads, both black and green mambas have a distinctive, coffin-shaped head that helps form their streamlined shape.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Phalaborwa, South Africa
Naja mossambica  *This image is copyright of its original author Naja annulifera "banded morph"  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author All photo credits: Troskie Wildlife Photography
Abhishek Pethe:
THE COBRASCAPE..!! It is always a wonderful feeling when you imagine a particular frame in your mind and it works out almost exactly as per your visualization.!! ID : Indian Spectacled Cobra March'16 Ahmednagar, Maharashtra  *This image is copyright of its original author
Naja nigricincta woodi
All photo and information credits: Sean Braine Photography "Black spitting cobra (Naja nigricincta woodi), Fish river canyon, Namibia. Found him on the edge of the canyon, gave a few spits and vanished into a rock pile. Managed to get a few images in while his hood was raised."  *This image is copyright of its original author "Black Spitting cobra , Fish river canyon, Namibia. Awesome creatures !!"  *This image is copyright of its original author "Another of the Black Spitting Cobra, jet black awesomeness."  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Vinod Kasture:
Spectacled Cobra ( Naja Naja ) Location - Mul  *This image is copyright of its original author
A Mozambique spitting cobra engulfs a toad. Pic credits to Rob Crankshaw, from the Londolozi blog.
 *This image is copyright of its original author
Dendroaspis polylepis
Photo credits: Shindzela Safari Camp  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
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