Cobra is the common name of various venomous snakes, most of which belong to the genus Naja. Many cobras are capable of rearing upwards and producing a hood when threatened.

Other snakes known as "cobras"

While the members of the genus Naja constitute the true cobras, the name cobra is also applied to these other genera and species: The false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) is the only "cobra" species that is not a member of the Elapidae. It does not rear upwards, produces only a slight flattening of the neck when threatened, and is only mildly venomous.