2006-09-26 22:03:13 · 16 answers · asked by john 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Cobras have hoods to appear larger than they really are and to warn enemies to stay away. Some species of cobras have larger hoods than others. Many other snakes have hoods too. Mambas and hog-nosed snakes are a couple of examples, but cobras are the species that made hoods famous.
2006-09-28 10:41:06 · answer #1 · answered by phoenixmg2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cobra's side flap is a hood of skin and muscle behind its head, which the cobra can flare for the purpose of making it appear bigger and more threatening to predators.
2006-09-26 22:19:19 · answer #2 · answered by alycela 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TO appear larger. When threatened, the cobra extendeds the flaps out and it tries to look more threatening. It's kind of the same idea when a cat poofs out it's fur when scared and hunches it's back when scared - to look big and scarey!
2006-09-27 06:41:35 · answer #3 · answered by natureutt78 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cobra raises off the ground and flares its hood to make it look bigger. Its a defence posture to warn of would be attackers.
2006-09-26 22:28:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "flaps are called a.. hood.. and are used as a warning to any predators
2006-09-26 22:11:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It actually has 2 purposes,firstly to make it's self look bigger to predators and second (in some species) to kind of hyponotise prey. Of course it could just be to get better signal for their mobile
2006-09-28 03:48:40 · answer #6 · answered by samule69 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To make it seem larger. Animals with large heads seem more threatening. Eg a Male Lion with its mane
2006-09-26 22:06:34 · answer #7 · answered by poli_b2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it has the flaps to scare away threats by making itself look bigger. they may also be used for cooling etc. on top of that
2006-09-26 22:06:17 · answer #8 · answered by ui6fu6yujt c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are not really flaps.
it is called a hood.
the snake puffs its head to form the hood - as a display of aggression/verocity
2006-09-26 22:58:01 · answer #9 · answered by Basil P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Makes it look bigger and more aggressive it's just to fool the
predators.
2006-09-26 22:10:48 · answer #10 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋