All you need to know about one of the world’s most venomous snakes, the king cobra
The much-feared venomous king cobra, from south and Southeast Asia, is the longest venomous snake in the world. Learn all about them in this expert guide
How big are king cobras
King cobras can grow up to 5.49m in length (the record for the species is 5.71m) and weigh up to 9kg.
What do king cobras look like?
The coloration of king cobras varies, but scales are shades of black, brown or olive green with yellow/white chevron-shaped markings and it has a pale underside. It also has a pair of large scales on top of its head (occipital scales)
The king cobra is famous for its ‘hood’ formed from neck, ribs and muscles
Adult king cobras shed their skin about four to six times per year
Where do king cobras live?
King cobras have a vast range and can be found in Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; China; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; Philippines; Singapore; Thailand and Vietnam. The species primarily inhabits pristine forests but also occurs in degraded forest, mangrove swamps and agricultural areas with remnants of woodland.
What do king cobras eat?
It is known as the king cobra because it mainly feeds on other snakes, including other cobras.
The only member of the Ophiophagus genus also hunts small mammals, birds and lizards, and has been known to eat its own species. Both revered and feared, the deadly reptile is often associated with mythology and folklore.
How do king cobras hunt?
Diurnal king cobras use their sense of smell to locate their prey and inject neurotoxins via fangs to immobilise their victims; other toxins also start the digestive process before prey is swallowed whole.
How venomous are king cobras
One bite from a king cobra contains enough neurotoxins to kill 20 humans or an elephant, which is why this species is named as one of the world’s deadliest snakes.
The venom attacks the respiratory centres in the brain, leading to respiratory arrest and cardiac failure.
How fast are king cobras?
King cobras can move at speeds of up 19kph, swim and climb, making them formidable hunters.
Are king cobras aggressive?
If confronted, a king cobra is capable of lifting up to a third of its body off the ground while proceeding to attack. The reptile spreads its distinctive hood by extending its ribs and skin to appear bigger and emits a growl-like hiss as a warning.
Do king cobras attack humans?
Despite its aggressive reputation, king cobras are responsible for reportedly fewer than five human deaths a year. They are generally shy snakes that tend to avoid people, choosing to flee unless provoked. However, nesting females are more likely to attack.
How do king cobras breed?
King cobras reach maturity at about five to six years old. The breeding season for the snake depends on where it lives. Males engage in dramatic displays to compete for mating rights, intertwining and wrestling to push the other’s head to the ground.
After mating, females build a nest of dead leaves: king cobras are the only species of snake to exhibit this behaviour. Once the eggs are laid, females stay on their nests throughout the incubation period. Newly hatched king cobras measure about 50cm long.
How long do King cobras live?
King cobras can live up to 20 years in the wild on average.
How many species of king cobra are there?
There may be four distinct species of king cobra, reports Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (2021), which found that four lineages were not regional variants of one species, but were instead genetically separate from one another.
The proposed species (yet to be named) are from the following sub-regions: Western Ghats, Indo-Chinese, Indo-Malayan and Luzon island (Philippine archipelago). Although king cobras share similarities, they have some physical and behavioural differences depending on where they live.
What threatens king cobras?
Mongooses are bold enough to prey on king cobras but humans are the biggest threat to the species, causing its global population to decline.
The snake has been assessed as Vulnerable due to pressure from habitat loss because of logging and agricultural expansion, and exploitation throughout its range: Southeast Asia is experiencing one of the highest rates of deforestation in the tropics. King cobras are at risk from harvesting for skin, food, the pet trade and especially traditional Chinese medicine. The reptile also suffers persecution because it is venomous.
What is needed to protect king cobras?
Listed in CITES Appendix II, the king cobra has been regionally assessed in India (Near Threatened), China (Critically Endangered) and Vietnam (Critically Endangered). According to the IUCN, there are protected areas within its range that probably provide small safeguards from harvesting pressure. Conservation measures are needed to reduce the rate of habitat destruction where the snake occurs and to manage its trade.
The king cobra holds a special cultural significance in the Indian subcontinent. It is regarded as the national reptile of India. Killing a king cobra is a serious offence in India with imprisonment of up to six years!
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