cobra

Everyday

A cobra is a large, very poisonous snake from Africa and Asia that can spread the skin of its neck into a wide hood when it is in danger or angry. tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons cobras are an example of venomous reptiles; some can spit venom into the eyes of an enemy. In stories, a cobra rising and spreading its hood is a sign of danger; snake charmers play music to cobras. Safety: never go near a wild snake. Phrases: king cobra, spitting cobra, the cobra's hood.

Examples

• The cobra raised its head and spread its hood. tree →
• A king cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world. tree →
• Cobras live in hot parts of Africa and Asia. tree →
• The spitting cobra can shoot venom at its enemies. tree →
• In the story, the mongoose fought the cobra. tree →
• The zookeeper fed the cobra from behind thick glass. tree →
• When the cobra runs for her life, she goes like a whip-lash flicked across a horse’s neck. tree →

Note

Countable: a cobra, cobras. Pronounced KOH-bra. Cobras are «venomous» (they bite to inject venom), which people often call «poisonous». Myth: snakes are not really charmed by the music; they follow the movement of the pipe.