Front-Fanged Snakes

Monocled Cobra Photo – Naja kaouthia

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Monocled Cobra – Naja kaouthia – Deadly even at just 12 inches long. ©ThailandSnakes.com

One friend I have said, out of all the snakes in Thailand (about 200) – he likes the monocled cobras the best.

I asked – why?

They are always angry and ready to bite! They never chill out. They never relax. They are always ready to serve up a plate of death for you – if you’re dumb enough to get too close.

He has yet to be bitten by the monocled cobra, but he works with snakes every day and he’s right – these snakes were born to kill. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 12-inch juvenile Naja kaouthia – like this one in the photo is – they are ready to kill you if you make one mistake.

Here is a link to more information about the Naja kaouthia – monocled cobra ->

I’ve kept the smaller monocled cobras for a short time – two weeks at most. I find that I have to watch them very, very closely. Every second I’m working with them – my eyes are on them and aware of what they are doing and what they could do. I don’t take any chances with these snakes. I have seen first-hand the damage their venom does. It is not pretty stuff.

He asked me too – what is your favorite snake?

I do like the King Cobra – and that’s what I answered since I couldn’t think fast enough. Even now – if you ask me – I’m not sure. The Malayan kraits are very interesting snakes… as are the monocled cobras, and the king cobras. I definitely like Ridley’s Racer as well – the one that lives in caves and catches bats in mid-air. That’s a cool snake. Some of the big rat snakes are very cool – a lot of energy and wicked fast.

The keeled rat snake (P. carinatus) is one snake I can’t get enough of. They can grow to 3+ meters and they raise up like a cobra to get above the grass and see what’s going on. They’re great strikers and they have endless energy. This might be my favorite non-venomous snake. Yeah, yeah. It is.

All in all – you know, it might just be the king cobra!

What is your favorite snake? Have you caught one before? Seen one before?

Mia Larsson

Danish field biologist working Thailand's southern islands. Covers sea snakes, harmless species, and conservation.

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