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Statistics indicate that people are more familiar with the cobra snake family than with any other snake group or subgroup in the poisonous or non-poisonous serpent categories. Most cobra snake varieties alive in tropical and desert areas, this snake is widely spread in the arid lands of Asia and Africa. The element to have rendered them so popular is the threatening body position they assume when sensing danger: a cobra snake, which has a regular symmetrical head when in a tolerant mood, will flatten the head and push it towards the back in a menacing way when it considers itself in danger. Another thing the cobra snake remains famous for is the snake charming tricks performed by Indian serpent breeders.

The spitting cobra snake is one of the most peculiar variety as it not only has a deadly bite but it also sprays venom in the eyes of prey and aggressors alike. The eye contact with the venom toxins can cause not just pain but blindness too, therefore, if you accidentally get cobra snake venom in the eyes, wash them out promptly so as to eliminate permanent damage to the tissues. The King cobra snake also distinguishes itself in this large serpent family by the fact that it feeds almost completely on other snakes, with mice and small birds accidentally turning into a meal.

The King cobra snake sets another record in terms of size: it can get up to seventeen feet long, which makes it the the biggest poisonous snake on the globe. The most recent discovery of a cobra snake species was made in 2003, when a strange cobra snake was identified at a London Zoo as belonging to an illegal shipment of exotic pets. DNA studies revealed that this new species is similar to the red spitting cobra snake but shows major differences in the genetic structure. It apparently originates from the region between Sudan and Egypt, and it was given the name of Nubian spitting cobra.

Although the risk of getting bitten is high in the attendance of a venomous specimen, a cobra snake will not attack if you leave it in peace. In comparison with the launch speed of a rattlesnake, the cobra is pretty slow in attack, and many bites fail to touch the prey or do not result in envenomation. Research conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims shows that only 55% of the bites had venom release too. Yet, the same research indicates a 10% risk of death for people bitten by a cobra snake, since the toxins sent in the blood of the prey are devastating the nerves and inducing respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten.

Finding hiding places is part of snakes' nature, they are pretty solitary creatures that do not harm anyone unless they feel threatened. For instance, many people have heard of garden snakes but they have actually never seen any. If you take gardening as a hobby it is possible to find the skins garden snakes moult, otherwise they are so camouflaged in the background and keep their distance from humans that encounters are very sporadic. Garden snakes are dull colored, either in tans and shades of brown, pale yellow, khaki or green, and they will usually run away from people and pets. The only issue is when the garden snakes are venomous, then you are in trouble, and most often, professional assistance is necessary to capture and relocate them in wilderness.