Elapidae

I’ve never been a big fan of the Elapids. They tend to be big, drab and very dangerous. But, they have fascinated cultures for centuries and inspired a lot of neat stories. Here are 7 worth mentioning:

7. Peter’s Cobra (Naja samarensis)

 

Don’t know anything about this guy, but he may be the prettiest cobra.

6. Red-Headed Krait (Bungaris flaviceps) 

Another pretty snake.

5. Banded Krait (Bungaris fasciatus) 

This is a bad, bad snake.

4. Indian Cobra (Naja naja) 

The Indian Cobra is responsible for more snake-bite deaths every year than any other snake. It doesn’t help that they live in close proximity to a lot of bare-feet… or that people feel a religious need to kiss them on the hood.

3. Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) 

I will be fine never seeing one of these in real life. Scary snake.

2. King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) 

The largest poisonous snake has to make the list. My granddad apparently killed one in Burma during WWII when it wouldn’t yield the road to his convoy truck.

1. Western Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) 

One of the prettiest snakes going, and I do hope to see one of these one day.