Cobra is the common name of various venomous snakes, most of which belong to the genus Naja.

[1] Many cobras are capable of rearing upwards and producing a hood when threatened.

[a] 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.

[4]: p.53