Latest news with #Naja
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
5 deadliest cobras with powerful venom that can kill within hours
A single bite from such poisonous snakes can be lethal within hours. Cobras are some of the most identifiable snakes on Earth, renowned for their hooded presentation and powerful venom. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Though they tend to keep to themselves, threatened, they turn extremely deadly. Venom in certain cobras has grown so strong that a bite will kill or immobilise the victim, destroy internal organs, and kill within less than sixty minutes. This article takes an in-depth look at the five most lethal cobras, their unique characteristics, native habitats, and how lethal their venom is. Deadly cobras known for their strong venom King cobra The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is not just the world's longest venomous snake—it's among the deadliest. Growing up to 18 feet in length, the species occurs in India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. What makes it so deadly: The King Cobra bites with an enormous amount of neurotoxic venom in one bite—enough to kill a human being within 30 minutes or kill a full-grown elephant. The venom acts on the nervous system, which leads to respiratory collapse. Though as large and menacing as they are, King Cobras are essentially timid. They prefer to retreat when provoked but will elevate its body, flare its hood, and audibly hiss protest before they attack when cornered. Forest cobra As native to West and Central Africa, the Forest Cobra (Naja melanoleuca) is the biggest of all the real cobras, the adult tending to grow over 10 feet in length. Aggression, speed, and lethality: Forest Cobra is extremely aggressive and fast-moving. It is reputed to stand firm and bite if provoked. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Its venom is extremely neurotoxic, quickly striking at the victim's respiratory system and causing paralysis if not promptly treated. What is particularly menacing about the snake is its boldness—unlike more timid species, it may actively hunt a threat over brief distances. Philippine cobra The Philippine Cobra (Naja philippinensis) is among the most poisonous spitting cobras in the world. Found in the northern regions of the Philippines, this cobra is extensively feared for its accuracy in spitting venom and the rapidity with which its toxins take effect. This cobra possesses a precise venom range of 10 feet to directly hit the eyes of a menacing beholder. The venom is so potent that it can cause respiratory paralysis and death within minutes since it was envenomed. It also causes death and paralysis by merely touching the eyes with venom, without even biting. Because of its aggressive defense tactics and quick-working venom, the Philippine Cobra is one of the most dangerous snakes in Southeast Asia. Indian cobra Indian Cobra (Naja naja), often employed for religious and cultural symbolism in India, is revered yet dreaded. Prevalent throughout the Indian subcontinent, the cobra is part of the "big four" that causes the majority of snakebite deaths in India. The Indian Cobra is found in inhabited villages and cultivated fields and thus has opportunities for frequent human contact. The venom is neurotoxic and leads to slow paralysis and, if left untreated, respiratory failure. There are thousands of bites of this species every year, thus constituting a major public health problem. Though divine in Hindu legend, Indian Cobra venom remains an actual threat, particularly in countryside settings with limited access to antivenom. Cape cobra The Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) inhabits South Africa's dry, desert regions, Botswana, and Namibia. The Cape Cobra is known for its ferocity and extremely virulent venom. The venom of this snake is a powerful neurotoxin which can be deadly for a human being within one to two hours if medical care is not received in time. The snake is also highly adaptable and is found in homes, barns, and piles of wood, and this raises the likelihood of false encounters. The Cape Cobra, as opposed to the majority of other species, does not give sufficient warning before it attacks and is hence very dangerous to unsuspecting visitors. All the five species of cobras have deadly venom and fierce behaviour patterns but hardly ever attack unless cornered or provoked. Public knowledge, immediate accessibility of healthcare, and availability of antivenom are therefore the prime considerations in preventing loss of life where these snakes are found. Also Read |
India.com
26-04-2025
- General
- India.com
Indian cobra vs Chinese cobra: Main differences on basis of size, venom and..., most poisonous reptile is...
Indian cobra vs Chinese cobra: Main differences on basis of size, venom and..., most poisonous reptile is... Cobras are an enduring symbol of a mix of fear and reverence, holding great spiritual importance in both India and China. These are the most famous kind of snakes in the world, and while they are spoken off in sweeping generalisation, not all cobras are the same. Two of the best-known types, which is, the Indian cobra (Naja naja) and the Chinese cobra (Naja atra) may look alike, but they are quite different in many ways. Across the villages and temples of India, the cobra is woven deeply into daily life and mythology. It roams freely through farmlands, dense forests, and sometimes even backyards. It's a familiar but unwelcome neighbor. While, thousands of miles away, the Chinese cobra patrols the humid forests and grasslands of southern China, Taiwan, and parts of Vietnam and Laos. However it tends to keep a lower profile, blending into the landscape and avoiding human contact whenever possible. The Indian cobra often stretches between 1 to 1.5 meters in length, sometimes reaching over 2 meters. Its smooth scales, earthy hues, and the striking 'spectacle' marking on its hood make it instantly recognisable, even to the untrained eye. The Chinese cobra, slightly stockier and equally agile, usually falls within a similar size range. Its colouration is more varied, ranging from light brown to an ominous black, with some juveniles wearing faint bands across their bodies. The hood markings are less uniform, sometimes resembling a mask or a horseshoe instead of spectacles. Both snakes have very strong venom. The Indian cobra's venom is a mix of neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. A single bite can be fatal if not treated quickly. It can inject between 169 and 250 milligrams of venom in one strike. The Chinese cobra's venom is also very dangerous. Some Chinese cobras can even spit venom at their enemies, shooting it up to two meters away! However, they are not true 'spitting cobras' like those found in Africa. Today, both cobras face serious threats. The Indian cobra's numbers are stable but threatened by habitat loss, urban growth, and illegal trade. The Chinese cobra, heavily hunted for its skin and used in traditional medicine, is now listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Protecting them will require not just conservation, but a shift from fear to respect.
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Naja Nielsen to leave BBC News
Naja Nielsen, Digital Director of BBC News, is leaving the BBC to take up a position as Media Director of Swedish public broadcaster SVT. Naja joined the BBC in 2019. In her role as Digital Director, she has led BBC News' digital journalism through the pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Gaza war and consequential UK and US Elections, putting digital and streaming at the heart of the BBC Newsroom. Naja Nielsen says: "I can't express how grateful I am for the trust BBC has put in me, for everything I have learned, and for the generosity and kindness everyone at the BBC has shown me. It has been a privilege to work for a media company where the top leadership walk the talk and have the courage to modernise and protect our core mission at the same time, and it has been fantastic to lead such a wonderful team. "The BBC is a uniquely purpose-driven, courageous, creative and forward-looking organisation that I will continue to consume, support, admire and be inspired by as I lead the next steps forward at SVT, a role I am honoured to be entrusted with." BBC News CEO Deborah Turness says: "In Naja's five years with us, her impact on BBC News is hard to overstate. She has led the transformation of our digital offer, passionately pioneered live pages and streaming, and put data at the heart of our decision making. Naja has led our social teams to make BBC News a force on social platforms where we are targeting young audiences - first building scale on Instagram where BBC News is the biggest global news brand, and then on TikTok where we've grown followers 65% in the last year and are the second largest UK news account. "Naja's rich experience and expertise were formed both by her time spent in the US, where she immersed herself in Silicon Valley and the big tech companies' ways of working, and in the innovative Scandinavian news market. That unique combination positioned Naja to be a courageous leader who has championed our digital investments and accelerated the pace of change." During her time at the BBC Naja has launched live streams; the improved BBC News app; digital election formats focused on voters; newsletters; local news rails and push alerts; vertical video; BBC News on Tik Tok; BBC InDepth and many more. Throughout she has put an unwavering focus on the needs of BBC news audiences in the digital age. Naja was previously Chief Journalism Officer at Orb Media, a digital investigative start-up in Washington DC. Before this Naja had a long career at Danish public broadcaster DR, working as a reporter, presenter, the editor of flagship programmes and cross platform elections and royal affairs content, eventually becoming Head of News then Deputy Director to the News Director. In 2014 Naja was a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University, studying what legacy media should learn from the tech industry. In her new role, Naja will be responsible for SVT's digital services and publishing strategies, that is, how, when, and where content is published. The position also includes analysis and data, as well as overall responsibility for AI at SVT. Naja will leave the BBC in the coming months. Details of her replacement will be announced in due course. CM7
