King cobra

King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae, endemic to forests from India through Southeast Asia. It is the world's longest venomous snake. Adult king cobras are 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) long. The longest known individual measured 5.85 m (19.2 ft).

Description

The king cobra is a large and powerful snake, with a long, cylindrical body and a large head. The coloration varies from region to region, but is generally a shade of olive, brown, or black, with lighter crossbands. The belly is cream or pale yellow. The snake has two short, fixed fangs in the front of the mouth which channel venom into the prey like hypodermic needles.

Distribution and habitat

The king cobra is found throughout Southeast Asia, including in India, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. It inhabits a range of habitats, including forests, bamboo thickets, mangrove swamps, and agricultural fields.

Behavior

The king cobra is known for its distinctive threat display, which involves raising the front part of the body off the ground and spreading the neck ribs into a hood, while hissing loudly. It is an active hunter, preying mainly on other snakes.

Venom

The venom of the king cobra is primarily neurotoxic, and can cause rapid paralysis and death in prey. It is one of the most dangerous snakes to humans, with a single bite capable of killing a healthy adult.

Conservation

The king cobra is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and over-collection for the skin trade and traditional medicine.

See also

• Snakebite
• Venomous snake
• Elapidae