Meet The Baby Cobra That Took Shelter In a Shoe And Is Highly Protective of His Home

Written by Sharon Parry
Updated: November 20, 2023
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This baby cobra has found an unusual place to shelter. The tiny snake has created a home inside a shoe! It also does not seem to be very happy about the fact that it is being disturbed and is defending its new home.

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Why Do Snakes Come Out During the Rainy Season?

The notes associated with this clip indicate that it was captured in India during the monsoon season. At this time of year, it is more common to find snakes inside people’s houses in that part of the world. Snakes that normally live in burrows to regulate their body temperatures and to find protection find that their homes have been flooded by the sudden rains. They move out and try to find somewhere else to live. The official advice to homeowners if they find a snake on their property is to stay calm and call in the authorities. It is not possible to completely snake-proof a house and so this sort of situation is inevitably going to occur from time to time. It’s also a good idea to check your shoes before you put them on!

What Exactly Are Cobras?

Cobras are a member of the Elapidae family of snakes. The name cobra comes from the term cobra de capello which means headed serpent. They are highly venomous snakes that are found in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. There are several different species of cobra including the king cobra and the Philippine cobra. Some cobra species are vulnerable, others are near threatened, and some are endangered. Others have stable or even increasing populations. Generally, the species that are doing best are those that live in remote or protected habitats. Most of them are diurnal so they are most active during the day.

What Do Cobras Normally Look Like?

Mozambique spitting cobra - Close Up On Venom

Many cobras can spit venom – and with terrific aim.

©Eugene Troskie/Shutterstock.com

These are generally long and slender snakes that can reach up to 10 feet in length. However, king cobras are particularly large and can reach 18 feet in length. They have varied head shapes and a wide range of colors but they all have round pupils.

Cobras can spit venom by squeezing it out through their fangs. This is because they have strong muscles at the base of the fangs. They also have hoods which are a defensive feature that makes them look larger. They can hiss and growl when they feel threatened but they are more likely to try to get away than attack.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Dr. Meet Poddar/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Dr Sharon Parry is a writer at A-Z animals where her primary focus is on dogs, animal behavior, and research. Sharon holds a PhD from Leeds University, UK which she earned in 1998 and has been working as a science writer for the last 15 years. A resident of Wales, UK, Sharon loves taking care of her spaniel named Dexter and hiking around coastlines and mountains.

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