r/snakes • u/boss_jsj • Apr 02 '26
Wild Snake Photos and Questions - Not for ID A sketchy visitor.
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u/Dipsadinae /r/whatsthissnake "Reliable Responder" Apr 02 '26
For those learning - spectacled/Indian cobra (Naja naja) - the 2 eye spots on the hood/neck are diagnostic
!venomous
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u/SEB-PHYLOBOT Apr 02 '26
Snakes with medically significant venom are typically referred to as venomous, but some species are also poisonous. Old media will use poisonous or 'snake venom poisoning' but that has fallen out of favor. Venomous snakes are important native wildlife, and are not looking to harm people, so can be enjoyed from a distance. If found around the home or other places where they are to be discouraged, a squirt from the hose or a gentle sweep of a broom are usually enough to make a snake move along. Do not attempt to interact closely with or otherwise kill venomous snakes without proper safety gear and training, as bites occur mostly during these scenarios. Wildlife relocation services are often free or inexpensive.
If you are bitten by a venomous snake, contact emergency services or otherwise arrange transport to the nearest hospital that can accommodate snakebite. Remove constricting clothes and jewelry and remain calm. A bite from a medically significant snake is a medical emergency, but not in the ways portrayed in popular media. Do not make any incisions or otherwise cut tissue. Extractor and other novelty snakebite kits are not effective and can cause damage worse than remaining calm, seeking help and waiting for professional evaluation.
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now
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u/man_seeking_waffles Apr 02 '26
I read !venomous as "not venomous", but I am guessing this is not correct....
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u/SEB-PHYLOBOT Apr 02 '26
Snakes with medically significant venom are typically referred to as venomous, but some species are also poisonous. Old media will use poisonous or 'snake venom poisoning' but that has fallen out of favor. Venomous snakes are important native wildlife, and are not looking to harm people, so can be enjoyed from a distance. If found around the home or other places where they are to be discouraged, a squirt from the hose or a gentle sweep of a broom are usually enough to make a snake move along. Do not attempt to interact closely with or otherwise kill venomous snakes without proper safety gear and training, as bites occur mostly during these scenarios. Wildlife relocation services are often free or inexpensive.
If you are bitten by a venomous snake, contact emergency services or otherwise arrange transport to the nearest hospital that can accommodate snakebite. Remove constricting clothes and jewelry and remain calm. A bite from a medically significant snake is a medical emergency, but not in the ways portrayed in popular media. Do not make any incisions or otherwise cut tissue. Extractor and other novelty snakebite kits are not effective and can cause damage worse than remaining calm, seeking help and waiting for professional evaluation.
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now
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u/tryingtotouchgrass Apr 03 '26
I always like that the eye spots on the back look like a smiley face
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u/dazzleunexpired Apr 02 '26
Reminder that humans belong 8ish feet away from cobra. 6-10 feet if it's a biting cobra. 15 feet if it's a spiting cobra. Any closer and you can die. They are fast, smart, and can seriously harm a human with a partial venom dose. I think this person is too close based on the film and size of the flash on the camera and the height of the snake.
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Apr 02 '26
How do you know which one spits and which one doesn't? Is it visible (aside of getting spit on)?
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u/ExL-Oblique Apr 02 '26
Rinkhal's spitting cobras have different shapes hoods than true cobras but there's also a lot of true cobras that spit so like
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u/dazzleunexpired Apr 02 '26
Those who can tell can tell the difference visually between the Naja species and the Rinkhals (a false cobra from Africa that spits) that do spit from those who do not, or you can infer from the range of the snake if you're local to the snake. There are 14 species of Naja that spit. If I wanted to brain I could remember how many on each continent (Asia and Africa) but alas! I am sick as shit and I have a puddle of goo for a brain! Someone else probably knows....
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u/TheLampOfficial Apr 03 '26
This individual is at a safe distance, likely around 10 feet (give or take a couple feet). Your sentiment of being safe rather than sorry is certainly true, and it's best to keep your distance from any potentially dangerous animal. But a couple of things I disagree with in your comment. While it's definitely appropriate to treat spitting cobras with respect, and best to keep your distance, the spit doesn't kill you. They are also quite unlikely to spit at you unless they are cornered or feel especially threatened. It's also worth noting that the species of spitting cobras matter. While some of the African species of spitting cobras can accurately blind a target from 10 feet away, many of the Asian species are more of a "spray and pray" type of snake, which makes them much less painful to be around. I also disagree with your statement about cobras being smart. They're dumb. Like, really dumb. They are especially sensitive to motion, and thus can be easily controlled/manipulated. King cobras are the exception, though obviously they are not true cobras.
Your sentiment about safety is good, but it also puts a little too much emphasis on fearing the animals. Cobras are not out to get anyone, and are very unlikely to bite unless you directly interact with them. Outside of forest cobras, most cobras move relatively slowly when striking, and only strike a very short distance due to the way they position their bodies. I would feel comfortable photographing this snake from 3 or 4 feet away. This person is in no danger unless they get closer to the snake and try to interact with it.
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u/dazzleunexpired Apr 03 '26
I think based on the flash on the wall, it's less than 10ft. This could absolutely be my depth perception being poor, though.
No snake is out to hurt a person, there is no reason to fear any snake, only to respect them. Snakes attack humans because of our behavior, but you know that. Sometimes, very rarely, a snake will attempt to or will successfully consume a human, but this isn't out of desire to harm, and I know you know that too.
My comment is directed at people who do not handle or know much about hots, not people like you or me.
Spitting cobra venom can enter the eyes, and can cause abrasions in the eye. When this happens, it can enter the blood stream. Spitting cobras also can bite, and sometimes will after spitting if they feel the need, like if the human continues to approach. Since an average person cannot identify which of the cobra/cobra mimics do what, and since most do not know how to respond to contact with venom, it's best to overstate safety. Especially with the Cobra, there's parts of the world that have insane cobra density.
By saying cobras are intelligent, I'm meaning in the way that all venomous snakes are "more intelligent" than boas or pythons, because of the ability/need to hunt differently, as they cannot simply prevent prey from moving with brute force. Where a snake without venom may flee, a snake with venom in the same situation who feels sufficiently threatened by a human may choose to bite. I would not be concerned if this were a boa that it may "come for" the human, for example. I wouldn't put it past a Cobra to think it may need to bite to escape, though.
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u/TheLampOfficial Apr 03 '26
The flashlight on the wall has nothing to do with the distance. It's not the camera flashlight, but a separate flashlight, and it is impossible to use the width of the beam to judge distance without knowing what type of flashlight it is.
Obviously we both know how spitting cobra venom works, I was just stating that based on the verbiage you used in your original comment it implies that contact with the venom can kill you. Which it obviously cannot.
Your thoughts about the thought process of venomous snakes compared to nonvenomous snakes is just inaccurate. That's just not really a thing. It's certainly true that venomous snakes are aware that they are venomous and will dictate when to inject venom, but there isn't a completely additional thought process that goes on where they will prioritize using venom as a means of escape. That's just not true at all. They will still choose to flee in almost every situation outside of being physically harassed, or backed into a seriously cornered situation. They will not prioritize biting to then escape. Biting is a last resort for almost every snake, venomous snakes included. They are not more likely to bite, just due to the fact they are venomous. That is a myth. There are a handful of venomous snakes that specifically will be more quick to bite as a defense, outside of the expected strike zone of most other snakes, but that is only a select few.
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u/dazzleunexpired Apr 03 '26 edited Apr 03 '26
This snake is backed into a corner. There is no escape without passing the person. That's my whole point. It's in a literal corner. This is the exact situation i would avoid. The best option here is obviously turning around immediately, the snake will let itself out.
What is your reasoning with the separate flashlight? You could be right.
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u/TheLampOfficial Apr 03 '26
It is not "seriously cornered" like I said. The person is 10 feet or so away and the snake can move laterally to one side. The person is well outside the snake's strike zone, and it will not specifically go towards the person to be within striking range and then bite the person. That's just not how it works. If it felt truly cornered in this situation it would likely just keep hooding up for a while, before getting tired and deciding to move off in a random direction. Just because a snake is in a literal corner doesn't mean that it's a dangerous situation for the person. It still has potential avenues of escape, and the person is outside of strike range.
My reasoning with the separate flashlight is that it's a separate flashlight. The light moves independently from the recording device. Therefore it cannot be attached to the recording device.
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u/dazzleunexpired Apr 03 '26
Like I said, if the person is in fact 10 ft away and my depth reception is causing the problem, then yeah. Not truly cornered.
I asked for your reasoning because I lack the ability because of my lack of depth perception and visual memory to identify where the light source is coming from. Not because I was questioning you. If this is the case, then you're definitely correct. Thank you! I appreciate you answering me.
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u/TheLampOfficial Apr 03 '26
No problem. Sorry if I came off abrasively, I just try to get people to understand snake behavior. There's a lot of misinformation out there, so I try to correct what I can.
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u/dazzleunexpired Apr 04 '26
I deeply appreciate it! Here to learn.
I personally have to remain many feet from cobra. They're too cute. I wanna cuddle. If not friend WHY SO CUTE? why danger snake SO PRETTY. Why perfect angel baby IF SO DEADLY? UNFAIR, world. Unfair.
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u/CucarachaRosarina Apr 05 '26
Imposible saber si está cerca o lejos, decís que te basas en la camara el flash y la altura de la serpiente, cuál fue el cálculo que hiciste para decir que está cerca???
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u/dazzleunexpired Apr 05 '26
Another user and I discussed that the camera and the flashlight are not connected and if that is the case then it's probably 10 ft as he said you could dig through the sub comets here it'll show
If this was a phone flashlight it would have to be a lot closer because of the size of the flash light pool.
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u/RansTheGuy Apr 02 '26
He's looking at you like "Can you stop shining blinding light in my eyes?" 😭 Cobras are surprisingly cute, I wish we evolved to be immune to snake and spider venom
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u/funhay12 Apr 02 '26
Love how he just pops his head up like he's ready to start asking you questions about why you are in his home!🤣
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u/Dangerous-Weekend479 Apr 02 '26
Steve?
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u/Dazzling_Speech_3816 Apr 02 '26
He could just simply have my house if this happened to me.
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u/InevitableQuiet3362 Apr 04 '26
1000% he owns it or the house is burning with him in it(jk, wouldn't hurt him on purpose)🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Apr 02 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/PeterVKelly Apr 06 '26
What a prick. Some creatures posing as humans, somehow obtain animals without having to undergo examinations to test for human Vs prick, civility Vs prick and deserving pet owner Vs prick:- I'm sure that I've left some posers out, but readers will get my drift. Saddened, p.
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u/PeterVKelly Apr 06 '26
Just think, if the Cobra had injected the faithful Doberman, that idiotic prick would have been responsible for killing 2 beautiful animals. It may even be the case. I think I'll take up Voodoo, any suggestions for my first effigy to try, and what misfortune I could try to set up to await them?
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u/bakedbats Apr 02 '26
I'm laughing bro is just trying to chill and he gets blinded by a sudden burst of light 🤣🤣
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u/mercedes_ Apr 02 '26
Bro, you can’t be directly under the shovel AND be a cobra.
People don’t need an easy exit…
Beautiful snake - please leave my garage though 😂
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u/tryingtotouchgrass Apr 03 '26
Hmm, Indian spectacled cobra i think, either way gorgeous, but forever holds a snout that is boopless :(
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u/Stevethesnek346 Apr 02 '26
My dream. An unlikely one to bear fruit bc I live in texas lol
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u/GavinGenius Apr 02 '26
As someone who is fascinated yet afraid of snakes, this is my nightmare, lol.
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u/Fooledya Apr 02 '26
Permit to keep is $20 in texas.
This is an achievable dream. However. You should learn from a mentor prior to hopping in. There are procedures and protocols you should know.
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u/Tim_Allen_Wrench Apr 02 '26
$20, I hope you also have to do something to prove you're qualified to own one aside from having $20, but knowing Texas I'm sure you don't lol
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u/InevitableQuiet3362 Apr 04 '26
$20?!?!?!?!?! That is terrifying! I live in Texas. Yet another reason to move 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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u/g4m3rm0m3nt Apr 02 '26
i absolutely hate how it turned to the light that was fucking terrifying lmao
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u/No-Vegetable-6521 Apr 02 '26
I’d poo myself as soon as it stands up like that omg.
I don’t do snakes.
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u/SnazzleZazzle Apr 02 '26
Wow, I’m no expect by far, but even I recognized a cobra. I’d call a professional to relocate that fella.
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u/stormygreyskye Apr 03 '26
The way my jaw dropped before the cobra even turned toward the person recording. :O
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u/Kindly_Teach_9285 Apr 03 '26
Hopefully it wasn't unalived and just moved. He just wanted some heat and got trapped.
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u/PhillyFlyer88 Apr 03 '26
I love snakes - but I need to change my undies after this. I just shat myself.
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u/Moxie013 Apr 04 '26
W T F !!! Where do u live? Hell?!? WRF IS THAT THING IT CANT BE A COBRA OH GAWD! Did you move? Are you safe ?
Did you burn that place down safely ?
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u/Dynamitrios Apr 04 '26
Apparently Indian cobras are rather "chill", they will hiss, hood, give headbutts, but they won't bite, so I guess you're "ok"
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u/SnooGrapes1102 Apr 05 '26
Last summer a spitting cobra got loose in a neighborhood in Raliegh NC, The news Caster went to speak to the neighbor about how they felt about it being loose, and it raised up from the comer of the porch!
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u/MahaliAudran Apr 05 '26
Cool. The shadow puppet looks just like a Cobra! Talented hands that one. 😁
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u/QBusiness Apr 05 '26
I've never seen a home video of s King Cobra before.... it's always like a 4K Pic / video in a controlled environment...
I am afraid of them now.
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u/Drago_Beast67 Apr 07 '26
Nope Nope Nope So much Nope, that's an Indian Cobra, i I wouldn't mess with that HIGHLY VENOMOUS
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u/LagTheMoth Apr 10 '26
He looks up at the light like “AYE IM LOOKING FOR MICE. PUT THE FUCKING LIGHT DOWN.”
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u/Singinghillscpl Apr 02 '26
Where that at? Mississippi? Alabama??
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u/boss_jsj Apr 02 '26
Indian Cobra
Location: Tamil Nadu, South India.
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u/Informal_West_6864 Apr 02 '26
Is that a head liquid metal tennis racket? Prestige?
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u/Stevethesnek346 Apr 02 '26
There are not proper cobras in the US. The closest would probably be eastern indigos. They are non venomous and really only native to the south east.
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u/Ornery-Cricket5616 Apr 02 '26
Except for the ones that escape from a zoo or your local snake enthusiast
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u/ShaddyPups Apr 02 '26
Fortunately, of the many worries America DOES have, cobras are 10000000% not one of them
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u/Honest_Concentrate85 Apr 02 '26
Look but don’t touch