KALINGA TIMES (India) 12 August 07 Six Monocellate cobras born in Orissa zoo
Bhubaneswar: For the first time in the history of Nandankanan Zoological Park, six Monocellate cobras were born from a single clutch of eggs recently.
The six baby snakes were hatched from the clutch of eggs of a captive Monocellate cobra of the reptile park of Nandankanan. Monocellate Cobra (Naja Kaouthia) differs from spectacled cobra in having only a single yellow or orange `O' shaped mark on the hood.
"All the six young cobras are healthy and active. This is a major breakthrough for the park," Zoo Director Ajit Patnaik said.
There were three Monocellate cobras in the reptile park and with the new additions the number has increased to nine.
The number of the Monocellate cobra in wild is declining because of the fear psychosis about the cobra in the mind of the people and is normally killed at the first sight.
Nandankanan is also planning to start a well designed education programme on snakes to generate awareness about the conservation of snake, according to Patnaik.
This is the common cobra of eastern India. found forests, open cultivated land, populated areas and old masonry constructions forms ideal refuge.
Monocellate is the common cobra of eastern India. They feed principally on rats, frog and toads. They are nocturnal and live near human habitations, cultivated fields and in forests.
These snakes have a pair of fixed poison fangs at the front end of the upper jaw. Each fang is connected to a venom gland. Certain specialised muscles work to open the mouth and pressurise the glands to send a jet of venom through a groove over the fang. Its venom is neuro-toxic that attacks the nerves, leading to paralysis of the lungs and heart failure.
Six Monocellate cobras born in Orissa zoo

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