Studies reveal that people accustomed with the cobra snake family than with any other species or subspecies in the poisonous or non-poisonous serpent categories. Most cobra snake varieties inhabit in hot and desert areas, this snake is regularly found in the arid lands of Asia and Africa. These serpents have got so very famous by the threatening body posture they assume when danger is near: 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 it considers itself in danger. Another peculiarity the cobra snake remains famous for is the snake charming tricks performed by Indian serpent breeders.

A more special diversity in this snake group is the spitting cobra that, besides biting, will spray venom into the eyes of aggressors or prey. The contact with the eyes can be very painful and even blinding, therefore, if you accidentally get cobra snake venom in the eyes, washing with plenty of water could be the only way to stop permanent crippling. The King cobra snake also distinguishes itself in this large serpent family by the fact that it feeds almost completely on other snakes, with mice and small birds accidentally turning into a meal.

The incredible size is one other history the King cobra snake sets: it can grow as long as seventeen feet, which makes it the the biggest poisonous snake on the globe. A new species was discovered in our times, in 2003 to be more precise, when a specimen was identified at a London Zoo as belonging to an illegal shipment of exotic pets. According to DNA studies this new species resembles the red spitting cobra snake but shows major differences in terms of genes. It apparently originates from the region between Sudan and Egypt, and it was given the name of 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 prove blank without envenomation. A study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims shows that only 55% of the bites had venom discharge too. Yet, the same study indicates a 10% risk of death for people bitten by a cobra snake, as the toxic compounds sent in the blood of the prey are devastating the nerves and causing respiratory deficiencies within thirty minutes from the occurrence of the bite.

Snakes like hiding places, they are pretty solitary creatures that do not pose any risk unless fear an attack. For instance, many people know there could be snakes in their gardens, but haven't seen any. If you take gardening as a hobby it is possible to discover the skins garden snakes moult, otherwise they are well hidden in the background and avoid human proximity 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 you have poisonous garden snakes, then the risk of getting bitten is higher, and most often, professional assistance is necessary to capture and move them in a wild habitat.