The Spectacled Cobra, Naja naja, of the family Elapidae, is easily identified by the two 'eye like' black spots on the ventral aspect (front) of the hood and the variable spectacle-like markings on the dorsal aspect (back). When the hood is not extended, the cobra looks similar to the Common Rat Snake, Ptyas mucosa. The cobra resides in forested areas, but can often be found on plantations or around human habitations. The cobra's range extends throughout the island.

Many different color morphs and patterns occur in Sri Lanka, including albinos. The average length of the snake is 1.5 to 2m. They are oviparous (egg layers) and are known to have arboreal, terrestrial and aquatic tendencies.

An iconic image in Sri Lankan folklore, the cobra is not molested by local villagers who elevate it to a level of respectability sometimes ascending to veneration. In Buddhist tradition, a shape-changing being called ‘Mucalinda’ took the form of a cobra and sheltered the meditating Buddha from a storm with its hood. The Hindu religion views cobras as ‘nature spirits’ who bring rain and fertility and are only malevolent when mistreated.
   
A sight long associated with Sri Lanka is the hooded cobra 'dancing' to the snake charmer's 'been' or flute.