Indian cobra (Naja naja)

Short answers

Indian cobra: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 300×150×150 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, cobras).

Indian cobra: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–31 °C, basking spot 33–35 °C, at night 22–25 °C.

Indian cobra: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended.

Indian cobra: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20+ years.

Indian cobra: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–31 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

33–35 °C

Humidity

55–70 %

UVB

UVB recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 300×150×150 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, cobras)

Substrate

A soil and sand mix, large stable hides, a water basin

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice and rats

Feeding interval

adults every 10–14 days

Key facts

Adult size

150–200 cm

Life expectancy

20+ years

Origin

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal

Protection status

VENOMOUS – neurotoxic, one of India's "Big Four"; a dangerous animal

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep singly. Cobras are solitary, and one animal per enclosure is the only safe solution: when feeding they strike indiscriminately at anything that moves, and cobras also eat other snakes. On top of that, during every task you must know exactly where the animal is – with two venomous animals in the enclosure that is not manageable. For breeding, put them together only briefly and under supervision.

Notes

The classic Indian cobra with the spectacle mark on the hood. When threatened it rears up high. Very dangerous, with a long reach – work only with a hook and a second person.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
• Chinese cobra (Naja atra) – Expert
• Indochinese spitting cobra (Naja siamensis) – Expert
• Javan spitting cobra (Naja sputatrix) – Expert
• Cape cobra (Naja nivea) – Expert
• Monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) – Expert
• Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica) – Expert
• Nubian spitting cobra (Naja nubiae) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Indian cobra (Naja naja) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 300×150×150 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, cobras)), substrate (A soil and sand mix, large stable hides, a water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.