Six inches would be more accurate. Cobras are believed to mate with rat snakes, but they in fact mate with only their own species and generally keep away from the larger and sometimes cannibalistic rat snakes. Just as it fools the mongoose and other predators into attacking its tail while the head seeks escape, a large percentage of humans are also fooled. Pregnant women loose their eyesight if they see a snake. This is not true.
Snakes hold their own tail in their mouth, form a coil and chase people.
Snakes use their tails as whips. Pythons suck their prey from a distance. Many of our old traditions respect flora and fauna. These sacred traditions had a meaning and were observed thoughtfully. For example, worshipping the banyan tree during vata poornima , or worshipping bullocks.