The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also remarkable in this large family of snakes (elapidae) because it feeds almost entirely on other snakes with mice and small birds also falling prey to its poison.

The King Cobra sets another record in terms of size: it can get to nearly twenty feet long, which makes it the largest venomous snake in the world. The most recent discovery of a new cobra species was made in 2003, when a specimen was identified at a London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.

DNA studies revealed that this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but has different genes. It seems to originate from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been called the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Though highly dangerous when it senses a threat, a cobra will not attack if you leave it in peace, although the venomous spit can travel very accurately for two meters. If compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is pretty slow in attack, and many bites prove blank, that is without envenomation.

According to a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims only 55% of the bites involved venom release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten, since the toxins injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxin) , which induces respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten, giving you 30 minutes to get help.

The colouration of this snake is variable from light green-grey to black, whereas juveniles have alternate yellow and black bands.This snake is to be found all over south-eastern Asia.

Interested in the Cobras? To learn more about snakes visit Caring for Snakes our brand-new website. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

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1. Spitting Cobras The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore,...
2. Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
3. Copperhead Snakes Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern...

The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them with water at once in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also remarkable in this large family of snakes (elapidae) because it feeds almost entirely on other snakes with mice and small birds also falling prey to its poison.

The King Cobra is also a record-holder because of its size – it can reach almost twenty feet (585 cms) in length, which makes it the largest poisonous snake in the world. The most recent discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets at London Zoo.

Going by DNA reports, this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but differs in genes. It apparently originates from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been named the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Though highly dangerous when it senses a threat, a cobra will not attack if you leave it in peace, although the venomous spit can travel very accurately for two meters. If compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is pretty slow in attack, and many bites prove blank, that is without envenomation.

Statistics of a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims indicate that only 55% of the bites involved poison release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of only 10% for people bitten, since the poisons injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxins), which induces respiratory failure approximately half an hour after being bitten, so you have 30 minutes to seek help.

Their colouration varies from light green-grey to black, although juveniles are yellow and black banded.This snake is widespread throughout south-eastern Asia.

Related posts:

1. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
2. Spitting Cobras The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore,...
3. Copperhead Snakes Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern...

The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them immediately in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also unusual in this large family of snakes (elapidae) bexause it feeds almost exclusively on other snakes with mice and small birds also making up part of its diet.

The King Cobra sets another record in terms of size: it can get to nearly twenty feet long, which makes it the largest venomous snake in the world. The most recent discovery of a new cobra species was made in 2003, when a specimen was identified at a London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.

According to DNA studies this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but different in terms of genes. It appears to have originated in an area between Sudan and Egypt, and it was given the name of the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Although they are highly dangerous when threatened cobras will rarely attack if you keep your distance from them, although the spit can travel very accurately for two meters. Compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is rather slow in its attack and besides that, many bites prove to be non-venomous.

According to a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims only 55% of the bites involved venom release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten, since the toxins injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxin) , which induces respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten, giving you 30 minutes to get help.

Their colouration varies from light green-grey to black, althugh juveniles are yellow and black banded.This snake is widespread throughout south-eastern Asia.

Related posts:

1. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
2. Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
3. Copperhead Snakes Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern...

Florida snakes, together with the many turtles, lizards, alligators and other reptiles are part of a complex wildlife structure that plays an incredible role in Florida’s ecosystem maintenance. Florida snakes species are numerous: there are actually forty-four species living in incredibly varied habitats, from salt marshes to fresh water marshes and dry uplands or coastal mangrove swamps to residential areas.

Only six Florida snakes are venomous, and they happily coexist with their non-poisonous cousins, even venturing into towns and cities too. The best way to stay out of trouble with snakes is to care enough to learn about their morphology and therefore become able to identify the Florida snakes. A relaxed attitude of avoidance is the wisest thing a human being could show in relation to snakes.

The Coral snake and pit vipers are the most dangerous Florida snakes. They can be identified by a wide range of characteristics. Pit vipers include the Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth and the Copperhead. They all have vertical eye pupils, a v-shaped head and facial pits: one between the eyes and nostrils and the others on each side of the head.

The poison of these Florida snakes is haemotoxic, which means that their venom attacks the red blood cells, destroying the wall of the blood vessel and causing uncontrolled hemorrhage. Coral snakes on the other hand use neurotoxic venom, with the toxins in the venom acting on the body nerves and inducing paralysis.

Most of the snake bites reported every year in the United States are caused by Florida snakes or by rattlesnakes to be more precise. Because their venom spreads very quickly throughout the body, the victim will die within less than half an hour without immediate anti-venom.

A major exception in this group of Florida snakes is the copperhead, the venom of which very rarely, if ever, requires anti-venom. Their toxin is the least potent and thus they are considered the least dangerous of the venomous Florida snakes.

It is precisely because of the danger that they present that poisonous snakes get the most attention, although the most common of Florida snakes is the Black Racer, which is a non-toxic species that depends on its sharp fangs to hold onto its prey.

Although the usual tendency of home owners is to remove snakes from their properties, specialists stress the fact that, without them, rodents would breed out of control giving us even more cause for alarm.

Therefore, unless there are any exceptional reasons for worrying, like snakes nesting in large numbers in your garden or outhouses, there is no reason to interfere with the lives of these usually shy, useful animals.

Related posts:

1. Copperhead Snakes Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern...
2. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
3. Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...

Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern make classification possible too.

Copperhead snakes have pale bellies, similar to the ground on which they live, but they sometimes appear pretty whitish. There are visible spots or pits on the head of copperhead snakes that look like darker tiny specks, but there is also a rather discolored stripe on the head area behind the eyes; this stripe looks very diffuse on top but it gets brownish towards the edges.

Copperhead snakes can be found almost anywhere, from rock and pond areas to woods and the shores of streams. Their choice of habitat is dictated by the predominance of prey, as copperhead snakes live on frogs, small rodents, cicadas, lizards, caterpillars and anything else that cabe taken without too much trouble.

Probably the most common haunts for copperhead snakes are wood piles, stone slabs, walls, debris and abandoned or ruined buildings, which explains the possibility of a face to face encounter in such areas. Copperhead snakes are active from March to October, with a hibernation period in the cold autumn and winter months.

Copperhead snakes use the dens in which they spend the winter year after year and usually there are large numbers of other individuals in hibernation together. In summer time when it is too hot outside, the copperhead will stay in the shade during the day and hunt at night. On lovely warm days, this snake will lie in the sun on rocks or wood debris. The young of copperhead snakes are born live and are not hatched; their number ranges between one and fourteen, with the mating period extending ’till mid autumn.

The bites of copperhead snakes require immediate medical care since they are not only very painful but they may also lead to permanent scarring and tissue loss. Avoid copperhead snakes when you come across them. Many people get bitten when trying to kill them or pick them up.

Snakes will not harm you unless they sense danger, when you will see how fiercely they can defend themselves. Statistics indicate that copperhead snakes are the most frequent life threateners in the US, because these snakes attack quite out of the blue without sending any warning signals like other species do.

Related posts:

1. Florida Snakes Florida snakes, together with the many turtles, lizards, alligators and other reptiles are part of a complex wildlife structure that plays a marvelous role in Florida's ecosystem maintenance. Florida snakes species are numerous: there are actually forty-four species living in incredibly varied habitats, from salt marshes to fresh water marshes...
2. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
3. Spitting Cobras The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore,...

Our view or opinions of an outcome often retroactively determine the merits of the decisions we make. Deftly diving out of the way of a speeding car would logically seem to be a smart decision. Landing in the way of another oncoming car, in retrospect, takes smart out of the equation.

Both outcomes resulted from the exact same choice; to dive out of the way of certain death. But in evaluating the results, the first scenario seems to be the product of a smart decision while the second outcome resulted from what seems to be a decidedly bad choice. But does that mean that random fate determines the merits of our decisions in life? Couldn’t one say the decision was smart regardless and the outcome simply unfortunate in the latter case?

A conversation with my father helped shed some light on the matter for me. He suggested that the merits of a decision are set at inception regardless the outcome and that fate was simply a random variable. Seeing I didn’t fully understand his point, he explained further.

He asked if I would be enticed by an offer that could earn me $50,000.00 in ten years for a meager upfront investment of only $5,000.00. The odds, he explained were only about 50% that I would hit that target and improved if I would be willing to accept a lesser return. I’d have much better odds of realizing $40K, for example. But regardless, the odds of my losing my initial investment were very small. Though I’d have to wait 10 years, I’d be virtually assured of getting at least my initial investment back. Was I interested? I was, but only if I had no other interests in mind for that $5K. My response wasn’t enthusiastic.

“OK,” he continued, “now what if I told you I might be able to make you $5 million dollars and all you’d have to invest is $5 for the purchase of a lottery ticket?” Well that, I thought, was a no-brainer. I’d hand over the $5 with hardly a thought.

In response, he smiled, shook his head and told me I’d just made the same bad decision thousands of lottery ticket purchasers make every day. In failing to consider odds of return on their investment, they make a bad decision simply for being impressed by the potential return on investment relative to the cost of buying in.

In considering the purchase of health insurance for your pet, you face a similar decision but the lines aren’t quite as clear. That, of course, means that making the smart choice can be far more confusing. It requires research and sensible thinking.

As with the example of an investment vs. a lottery ticket, we struggle to make a smart decision when it comes to pet health insurance because we’re considering an investment in an unknown potential outcome. How will we feel spending hundreds of dollars each year if our pet never requires a costly medical procedure and, instead, dies peacefully of old age? Won’t we have made a bad decision and wasted our money?

Alternatively, we apply emotions to the choice. If we don’t get health coverage for our pet, does that mean we don’t love it? Are we wrong for assigning a dollar value to the health of our animal?

In both cases these are the wrong approaches and will not lead to a smart decision. Basing the choice on what-ifs is wholly unproductive. No matter how healthy your particular breed may be in general, you can’t predict accidents such as poisons or car accidents.

The emotional approach is no better and, in fact, can blind you to important realities. All the love in the world won’t change your financial position if you can’t afford the monthly expense for pet insurance. I’d dearly love to buy controlling interest in Microsoft. That passion doesn’t translate to the financial ability to do so. Nor does the lack of finances mean you love your pet any less.

The decision of whether or not to purchase pet health insurance requires a rational approach. Examine the facts. If your pet should require an unexpected and expensive procedure, could you cover the costs out of pocket? Keep in mind this could cost you thousands of dollars. If you earn a good living or have a particularly robust savings account (and are good at not dipping into it) the there may be no point in getting insurance.

Also consider your pet’s age and general health. If it is young and healthy, non-problematic breed then perhaps the choice to purchase pet insurance can be delayed until later in your pet’s life. Just remember the warning that emergencies can and do happen.

Take the time to do the research and math. It may make sound financial sense to pay a monthly fee just in case. For many the peace of mind of knowing their pet is covered in the event of an emergency makes the monthly expense of insuring a pet is preferable to taking an unexpected hit to their savings. Job stability, how much you have in savings and how comfortable you are unpredictability should be the factors that influence your decision.

At the end of the day you should take the time to honestly analyze the relevant facts with no emotional bias. Do your research, consider your financial position and make the choice based on what makes sense rather than your fears and emotions. Leave it to the guys in Vegas to have fun riding emotional roller coasters while you content yourself in a rational decision honestly made.

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