Cobras are equally fascinating and terrifying. They are known for their wide hoods and dancing for snake charmers. Their hoods are flattened and elongated ribs, which make these snakes appear larger. When cobras feel threatened, they flatten their hoods, rear up off the ground, and hiss in warning.
Snakes of the Elapidae family are found globally in tropical and subtropical regions, while members of the Naja genus are found only in the Eastern Hemisphere. All of these snakes are venomous except those of the Emydocephalus genus. Continue reading to learn about the 10 largest cobras in the world, the majority of which belong to the Naja genus.
10. Chinese Cobra
Also known as Taiwan cobras, Chinese cobras are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN as of 2025.
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The Chinese cobra (Naja atra) measures 3.9 to 4.9 feet long and weighs 2.2 to 4.4 pounds. This species is recognized by its dark, black scales, wide hoods, and distinct white markings across the neck. Chinese cobras live throughout Southern and Eastern China as well as on the island of Taiwan. They are extremely venomous.
9. Monocled Cobra
The monocled cobra has a long gray or brown body.
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Monocled cobras (Naja kaouthia) measure 3.6 to 4.9 feet long and weigh 3.5 to 5 pounds, although some individuals measure up to 7.5 feet. They are native to Southeast Asia, where they live near water, grasslands, or forested areas. Monocled cobras have dark brown to black bodies with several circular markings along the back of the neck and hood.
8. Indian Cobra
The Indian cobra is also known as the spectacled cobra or Asian cobra.
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The famous Indian cobra (Naja naja) measures 3.3 to 5 feet long and weighs 2.5 to 6 pounds. Specimens up to 6.6 feet long have been found in Sri Lanka. These cobras inhabit the Indian subcontinent and the island of Sri Lanka. They have potent venom and wide hoods; their coloring ranges from light brown to almost black.
7. Cape Cobra
The Cape cobra ranges in color from yellow to copper or even black-brown.
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Cape cobras (Naja nivea) measure 3.9 to 5.2 feet long and weigh 2.6 to 5.5 pounds. They are native to Southern Africa, where they prey on anything that crosses their path. Cape cobras hunt during the day and act quickly to defend themselves with a venomous bite if threatened or startled.
6. Snouted Cobra
The snouted cobra’s impressive hood is marked by a single, dark brown band running across the throat.
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Snouted cobras (Naja annulifera) measure 3.9 to 5.9 feet long and weigh 3.6 to 11.2 pounds. They are slim snakes that spend most of their time on the ground hunting for rodents and other small creatures. Unlike other species of cobra, snouted cobras do not live in forested areas; they are found in grasslands, shrublands, or semi-desert climates.
5. Egyptian Cobra
Despite their name, Egyptian cobras live in numerous disjunctive areas throughout northern Africa.
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Egyptian cobras (Naja haje) measure 5 to 6 feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds. Because of their potent venom and quick self-defense, they are among the most dangerous snakes in Northern Africa. Egyptian cobras are all black in color and are found in deserts where they can hunt for rodents.
4. Ashe’s Spitting Cobra
Also known as the giant spitting cobra, Ashe’s spitting cobra is the largest spitting cobra.
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Ashe’s spitting cobra (Naja ashei), also known as the giant spitting cobra, measures 4.3 to 6.6 feet long, with the longest recorded specimen measuring 8.9 feet long. However, there is no verifiable weight for this species, but it is estimated to weigh more than the forest cobra. Ashe’s spitting cobra is native to Eastern and Northeastern Africa. It is found in dry lowlands in Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
3. Black-Necked Spitting Cobra
Black-necked spitting cobras have strikingly dark coloring with pure white mouth interiors like the North American cottonmouth.
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The black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis) is not only incredibly beautiful, but it’s also incredibly long, measuring 3.9 to 7.2 feet long. However, there is no recorded weight for this species. Black-necked spitting cobras live throughout the majority of Central Africa. They are mostly terrestrial but will also climb trees to hunt if needed.
2. Forest Cobra
The forest cobra is also known as the black and white-lipped cobra, or simply the black cobra.
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Forest cobras (Naja melanoleuca) are the longest true cobras, measuring 4.6 to 7.2 feet long, with the longest found in the wild measuring 10.1 feet. They weigh 4.4 to 7.9 pounds. Forest cobras live across central Africa in forests, woodlands, and even scrublands. These snakes use their mass to climb trees over 30 feet tall and easily propel themselves through water.
1. King Cobra
King cobras live in the Indian subcontinent, as well as Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
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The largest cobra in the world is the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), measuring 10 to 12 feet and weighing 13 to 20 pounds. The longest individual on record was 19.2 feet long, captured in Malaysia in 1937. King cobras are not true cobras, as they belong to the Ophiophagus genus, rather than the Naja genus, but they are still part of the Elapidae family.
King cobras are the longest venomous snakes in the world, and they have a potent, deadly venom to match. Their diet primarily consists of other snakes, including smaller king cobras. While usually non-aggressive, king cobras will bite to defend themselves, and with such a long body, they can strike at distances of several feet.
