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Studies reveal that people accustomed with the cobra snake family than with any other snake group or subgroup in the poisonous or non-poisonous serpent categories. Tropical lands and desert areas make the favorite habitat for the cobra snake, which explains why this snake is regularly found in the arid lands of Asia and Africa. These serpents have got so very recognized by the threatening body posture they get when sensing danger: a cobra snake, which has a perfectly symmetrical head otherwise, will flatten the head and push it towards the back in a menacing way when seeing a possible attack coming. Another peculiarity the cobra snake remains famous for is the performance of cobra charming tricks by Indian snake masters.

A more special mixture in this snake group is the spitting cobra that, besides biting, will spray venom into the eyes of aggressors or prey. The eye contact with the venom toxins can be very painful and even blinding, therefore, in case your eyes get exposed to cobra snake venom, washing with plenty of water could be the only way to stop permanent damage. The King cobra snake also stands apart in this large serpent family by its feeding specificity, since it eats almost only other snakes, with mice and small birds accidentally turning into a meal.

The King cobra snake sets another legend in terms of size: it can grow as long as seventeen feet, which makes it the the biggest poisonous snake on the globe. The most recent discovery of a cobra snake species was made in 2003, when a strange cobra snake was identified at a London Zoo as part of an illegal transport of exotic pets. According to DNA studies this new species resembles the red spitting cobra snake but shows major differences in the genetic structure. It apparently originates from an area between Sudan and Egypt, which is why scientists gave it the old name of this geographic location, Nubian spitting cobra.

Though highly dangerous when it senses a threat, a cobra snake will keep away if you let it be. In comparison with the launch speed of a rattlesnake, the cobra is pretty slow in ambush, and many bites fail to touch the prey or do not result in envenomation. A study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims indicates that only 55% of the wounds had venom discharge too. Yet, the same research indicates a 10% risk of death for people bitten by a cobra snake, as the toxic compounds released in the blood of the prey are devastating the nerves and causing respiratory deficiencies within thirty minutes from the occurrence of the bite.

Finding hiding places is part of snakes' nature, they are pretty independent creatures that do not harm anyone unless they sense danger. For example, many people know there could be snakes in their gardens, but haven't seen any. If you love gardening it is possible to find the skins garden snakes moult, otherwise they are well hidden in the background and keep their distance from humans that chances to see them are pretty rare. Garden snakes are dull colored, either in tans and shades of brown, pale yellow, khaki or green, and they will usually run away from people and pets. The only issue is when the garden snakes are venomous, then the risk of getting bitten is higher, and most often, professional assistance is required to capture and relocate them in wilderness.