Naja
Sign in to saveNaja is a genus of venomous elapid snakes commonly known as cobras (or "true cobras"). Various species occur throughout Africa, Southwest Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Several other elapid species are often called "cobras", such as the king cobra and the rinkhals, but they are not "true cobras", in that they do not belong to the genus Naja.
AI overview
Naja is a genus of venomous snakes commonly called cobras, found across Africa and Asia. These "true cobras" are distinguished from other snakes that are also called cobras (like king cobras) by their scientific classification within the Naja genus.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Wikidata facts
Show 3 more facts
- P105
- genus
- P910
- Category:Naja
Article
7 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Description
- Venom
- Medical importance
- Taxonomy
- Species
- External links
Naja is a genus of venomous elapid snakes commonly known as cobras (or "true cobras"). Various species occur throughout Africa, Southwest Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Several other elapid species are often called "cobras", such as the king cobra and the rinkhals, but they are not "true cobras", in that they do not belong to the genus Naja.
Until recently, the genus Naja had 20 to 22 species, but it has undergone several taxonomic revisions in recent years, so sources vary greatly. Wide support exists, though, for a 2009 revision that synonymised the genera Boulengerina and Paranaja with Naja. According to that revision, the genus Naja now includes 38 species. thumbnail| Indian cobra (Naja naja) thumbnail|Dissected head of Naja melanoleuca showing (A) the fangs and (B) the venom gland