Indian cobra — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Indian cobra — origin: The Indian subcontinent: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Frequents forests, cultivated plains as well as the vicinity of human dwellings (a commensal species drawn by rodents)..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–26 °C

Warm side28–32 °C

Basking spot32–35 °C

A thermal gradient is essential. Hot spot (basking) of 32-35 °C via a source protected by a grille to prevent burns. A nighttime drop to ~22 °C is well tolerated. Any heating intervention must be done with the enclosure secured.

Enclosure (adult)

150 × 75 × 75 cm

A robust terrestrial terrarium, fully sealed and LOCKABLE (lock mandatory). VENOMOUS SPECIES: the enclosure must be absolutely escape-proof, with an airlock or blocking system preventing any accidental exit. Provide several sturdy hides to reduce the stress of a very defensive animal.

Minimum dimensions for an adult; larger is always preferable. Keeping in France requires a certificate of competence and a prefectural authorization (establishment for breeding non-domestic venomous species); having the antivenom serum and a hospital emergency protocol is essential.

Humidity

50–65 %

Moderate ambient humidity (50-65%), to be increased transiently during sheds. Good ventilation is imperative to avoid respiratory ailments.

Substrate

Coconut fiber / potting soil free of fertilizer and pesticideAspen shavingsCypress mulchNewspaper or paper towel (quarantine / hygiene)

An absorbent substrate allowing light burrowing and maintenance of humidity; to be removed and replaced quickly when soiled to prevent dermatitis. Avoid dusty substrates.

UVB

Optional

Not strictly essential (a crepuscular/nocturnal species), but low UVB (Ferguson zone 1-2, UV index ~1-2) on a ~12 h photoperiod is beneficial for metabolism and well-being. Always provide a shaded area.

Water source

Always available

A large container of clean water, heavy and stable, allowing the animal to drink and immerse partially; renew daily. Handle the bowl only with the enclosure secured.

Origin

Elapidae

The Indian subcontinent: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Frequents forests, cultivated plains as well as the vicinity of human dwellings (a commensal species drawn by rodents).

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore (mainly rodents) — Rodents of appropriate size (mice, rats), thawed; in the natural environment: rodents, toads and lizards.

Feeding exclusively with long tongs, enclosure secured, never by hand. Adult: one appropriate prey item every 10-14 days. Watch for obesity, common in overfed captive individuals.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 10–25 eggs/young. Clutch of 10 to 25 eggs after a breeding period often preceded by a slight cooling/winter rest. Incubation of about 48 to 70 days at 28-30 °C. The female may guard the clutch. Breeding should be reserved for expert and authorized facilities.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (pneumonia), promoted by inadequate humidity/ventilation
Stomatitis (mouth rot)
Bacterial dermatitis and 'scale rot' linked to a soiled or overly humid substrate
Internal parasites (nematodes, protozoa), very common in wild-caught specimens
Thermal burns due to unprotected heat sources

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes and 1 named combos for Indian cobra.

Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
Axanthic / AneryRec
Patternless (Genetic)Rec

Named combos — 1 documented combined morphs

Snow

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Indian cobra × Indian cobra

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the indian cobra.

Is the Indian cobra deadly, and can I handle it myself?▾

Yes: it is a venomous snake whose neurotoxic and cardiotoxic venom can cause respiratory paralysis and cardiac arrest; it is one of the 'Big Four' species responsible for most serious snakebites in India. Bare-handed handling is out of the question: it must be handled exclusively with a hook and tongs, by someone experienced with venomous species.

Can you keep a Naja naja in France without any special formalities?▾

No. Keeping one requires a certificate of competence and a prefectural authorization to open a facility for breeding non-domestic venomous species. You must also have the appropriate antivenom serum and a hospital emergency protocol in place beforehand.

What size terrarium should be provided for an adult Indian cobra?▾

At least 150 x 75 x 75 cm, and larger whenever possible: a sturdy terrestrial terrarium that is fully sealed and LOCKABLE, with an airlock or blocking system preventing any accidental escape. Several solid hides help calm an animal that is naturally very defensive.

What temperature gradient should be set up?▾

A basking spot of 32 to 35 °C protected by a guard to prevent burns, a warm side of 28 to 32 °C and a cool side of 24 to 26 °C. A nighttime drop to around 22 °C is well tolerated, but any work on the heating must be done with the enclosure secured.

What humidity level and substrate suit it?▾

Moderate humidity of 50 to 65%, temporarily increased during sheds, combined with good ventilation to prevent respiratory ailments. Coconut fiber, aspen shavings or cypress mulch all work well; the substrate should be removed as soon as it becomes soiled to prevent dermatitis.

What does the Indian cobra eat, and how often should it be fed?▾

It is primarily a rodent-eating carnivore (thawed mice or rats), which in the wild also feeds on toads and lizards — a commensal species often drawn to human dwellings. Feeding must be done exclusively with long tongs in a secured enclosure, never by hand, offering a suitably sized prey item every 10 to 14 days; watch for obesity, which is common in overfed individuals.

How should its water bowl be managed?▾

A large, clean, heavy and stable water container lets it drink and partially submerge; it should be replaced daily and should never be handled other than with the enclosure secured.

Does it need UVB lighting?▾

It is not strictly essential for this crepuscular-to-nocturnal species, but low-level UVB (Ferguson zone 1-2, UV index around 1-2) over a photoperiod of roughly 12 hours benefits its metabolism; always provide a shaded area.

What is its lifespan, and what commitment does that represent?▾

With proper care, the Indian cobra lives 20 to 25 years in captivity, provided it has a stable environment and controlled feeding — a commitment spanning several decades, reserved for expert, authorized facilities.

How does the Indian cobra reproduce?▾

It is an oviparous species: the female lays 10 to 25 eggs, often after a period of slight winter cooling, incubated for roughly 48 to 70 days at 28-30 °C. She may guard the clutch, but breeding this venomous species remains reserved for expert, authorized facilities.

What health problems should be monitored?▾

The most common are respiratory infections caused by inadequate humidity or ventilation, stomatitis, bacterial dermatitis ('scale rot') from soiled substrate, internal parasites (especially in wild-caught individuals), and burns from unprotected heat sources.

How can you recognize its characteristic defensive behavior?▾

When threatened, the Indian cobra raises the front third of its body, spreads its hood very high displaying the 'spectacle' marking on the back, and hisses loudly (the 'chuffing' sound), with a significant strike range — behavior that should never be mistaken for mere bluff.

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