cobra /kō′brä/ , any of numerous extremely poisonous elapid snakes commonly found in Africa, Asia, and India. They are capable of expanding the neck region to form a hood and have two comparatively short, erect, deep grooved fangs. A serum obtained from animals inoculated with cobra venom is used in counteracting the effects of the venom. Species include the Asian cobra and king cobra of Asia and the Egyptian cobra found throughout Africa and the Arabian peninsula. See also snakebite.
