A cobra rears up to attack on Komodo island in Komodo National Park, Indonesia.
When threatened, cobras rear upwards and many expand a hood behind their head to increase their size and intimidate attackers.
All types of cobra are venomous – and when I saw this snake rearing up, after we accidentally disturbed it while walking through the undergrowth searching for Komodo dragon tracks, I kept my distance!
Komodo island is a fascinating place to visit, but get there early.
Komodo dragons are most active in the morning, before the sun gets too intense, so get there before lunchtime to see these horrors of nature up close.
And be careful where you tread. You don’t want to disturb a poisonous cobra!
