Indian cobra (Naja naja) rising from a wicker basket. This cobra belongs to a snake charmer (not seen). The raised head and expanded hood of the cobra is often an indication that it is about to strike. Snake charmers perform with these snakes on the streets using flutes (pungi) to apparently 'charm' or 'hypnotise' them. In fact, the snake feels the sound rather than hears it, and is more likely to respond to visual signals such as the charmer's swaying motion. Experienced snake charmers sit outside the cobra's strike range and will avoid provoking it. The Indian cobra's venom can be fatal to humans. Photographed in Amber, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.