Expert Encounters

Monocled (Leucistic) Cobra

The monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia), also called monocellate cobra, is a cobra species, which is widespread across South and South East Asia and listed as Least Concern.

Leucism is characterized by reduced pigmentation, unlike albinism, which is no pigmentation. True leucistic snakes get whiter with age and have dark blue eyes.

When threatened, they raise their body, spread their hood, and usually hiss and strike in an attempt to bite and defend themselves, injecting a toxin that can prove fatal. The venom is neurotoxic, which means that it affects the brain and nervous system. The effects of cobra venom can take as little as 15-30 minutes depending on the victims level of fitness. Once bitten, get to a hospital as soon as possible. The emphasis is on AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

The only way to counteract the effects of cobra venom (or most other poisonous snake venoms) is to inject the appropriate anti-venom shortly after the bite occurs. If anti-venom is unavailable, your life can still be saved by putting you on an artificial respirator until the paralysis of the diaphragm muscle wears off. 

In the video below, Corey comes face to face with a deadly white Cobra. Never try this unless you have years of experience like Corey does! This is dangerous and can be deadly.

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For more info see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monocled_cobra