The fear of snakes, known as ophidiophobia, is one of the most
common fears in the world, and any snake, big or small, is often
enough to send a lot of people scrambling and screaming. No
snake, however, has a reputation as fearsome as that of the king
cobra, which is easily recognized by its flaring hood, narrower and
longer than that of other cobras. (In fact, the king cobra is not
actually a true cobra, but belongs to a genus of its own.) But are
king cobras truly worth fearing? How much do you actually know
about them? Read on to learn some of the most important and
interesting facts about the king cobra.
common fears in the world, and any snake, big or small, is often
enough to send a lot of people scrambling and screaming. No
snake, however, has a reputation as fearsome as that of the king
cobra, which is easily recognized by its flaring hood, narrower and
longer than that of other cobras. (In fact, the king cobra is not
actually a true cobra, but belongs to a genus of its own.) But are
king cobras truly worth fearing? How much do you actually know
about them? Read on to learn some of the most important and
interesting facts about the king cobra.
1. Are King Cobras Poisonous?
One of the reasons the king cobra is so feared is because it is a
venomous snake. This means that it stores poison in glands
behind its mouth, and when it strikes, it delivers the poison
through its fangs, killing with a single bite.
When it does happen to be in a bad mood or is cornered, the
king cobra will first take up its signature defensive stance, lifting
up to a third of its body off the ground. If it can grow up to
almost 19 feet (5.8 meters) — remember that longest one above?
— then it would stand over 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall! It will look its
attacker in the eye, extend its hood and produce a low growling
sound. At this point, it is best to back away slowly, and throw a
hat or a shirt on the ground as a distraction. If you don’t, the next
thing the king cobra will do is strike and, mind you, it can strike
from 7 feet (2.1 meters) away. It can deliver several bites, too, or
deliver just one and hold on.
venomous snake. This means that it stores poison in glands
behind its mouth, and when it strikes, it delivers the poison
through its fangs, killing with a single bite.
Is it poisonous? When we say an animal is poisonous, this means
that the animal can be harmful when eaten or touched, in contrast
to venomous, when the animal actually delivers the poison, as
through a bite. King cobras can be poisonous when eaten whole,
but with their venom glands removed, they are safe to eat, and
are in fact served as a delicacy in exotic restaurants in parts of
Asia.
that the animal can be harmful when eaten or touched, in contrast
to venomous, when the animal actually delivers the poison, as
through a bite. King cobras can be poisonous when eaten whole,
but with their venom glands removed, they are safe to eat, and
are in fact served as a delicacy in exotic restaurants in parts of
Asia.
2. Are King Cobras Deadly?
To their prey, king cobras are definitely deadly. But what about to
us? Can a king cobra kill a human?
us? Can a king cobra kill a human?
The answer, unfortunately, is yes. While the king cobra is not the
world’s most venomous snake — that title belongs to the inland
taipan — nor is it responsible for the most human deaths, it can
deliver a lot of venom in just one bite — enough to kill twenty
people, or even bring down an elephant! If left untreated, a human
can die from a king cobra’s bite in as little as a half an hour. This
is because the king cobra’s venom targets the central nervous
system, eventually leading to kidney, heart and lung failure. Initial
symptoms include pain, drowsiness, a stumbling gait, blurred
vision, paralysis of the limbs, convulsions, headache and loss of
consciousness. So try to avoid getting bitten!
world’s most venomous snake — that title belongs to the inland
taipan — nor is it responsible for the most human deaths, it can
deliver a lot of venom in just one bite — enough to kill twenty
people, or even bring down an elephant! If left untreated, a human
can die from a king cobra’s bite in as little as a half an hour. This
is because the king cobra’s venom targets the central nervous
system, eventually leading to kidney, heart and lung failure. Initial
symptoms include pain, drowsiness, a stumbling gait, blurred
vision, paralysis of the limbs, convulsions, headache and loss of
consciousness. So try to avoid getting bitten!
3. The Longest Venomous Snake
In addition to its venom, the king cobra is feared for its size. It is
the longest venomous snake in the world, with the longest captive
specimen growing up to 18.8 feet (5.7 meters) long! In the wild,
king cobras usually grow 8 to 13 feet (2.4 to 4 meters) long, with
males being longer than females. While the longest non-
venomous snake in the world is the reticulated python — which
can grow over 25 feet (7.6 meters) long, and the heaviest snake
is the green anaconda — able to weigh over 100 pounds (45
kilograms), even a small king cobra is still pretty big if it’s
slithering toward you!
the longest venomous snake in the world, with the longest captive
specimen growing up to 18.8 feet (5.7 meters) long! In the wild,
king cobras usually grow 8 to 13 feet (2.4 to 4 meters) long, with
males being longer than females. While the longest non-
venomous snake in the world is the reticulated python — which
can grow over 25 feet (7.6 meters) long, and the heaviest snake
is the green anaconda — able to weigh over 100 pounds (45
kilograms), even a small king cobra is still pretty big if it’s
slithering toward you!
The heaviest king cobra found in the wild was recorded at 26
pounds (11.8 kilograms), while a captive specimen at the New
York Zoological Park weighed as much as 28 pounds (12.7
kilograms). Normally, the king cobra’s weight is about 20 pounds
(9 kilograms). The eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the
gaboon viper are heavier, however, weighing over 30 pounds
(13.6 kilograms).
pounds (11.8 kilograms), while a captive specimen at the New
York Zoological Park weighed as much as 28 pounds (12.7
kilograms). Normally, the king cobra’s weight is about 20 pounds
(9 kilograms). The eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the
gaboon viper are heavier, however, weighing over 30 pounds
(13.6 kilograms).
4. Where Are King Cobras Found?
King cobras can be found on the Indian subcontinent (India,
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka) as well as in
parts of Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, the
Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore). It can also
be found in parts of China.
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka) as well as in
parts of Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, the
Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore). It can also
be found in parts of China.
The king cobra can adapt to various habitats, both wet and dry,
but prefers dense forests with streams and swamps.
but prefers dense forests with streams and swamps.
5. King Cobra’s Adaptations
What makes the king cobra able to thrive in different
environments? Its most significant adaptation is its skill as a
hunter and its potent venom. With that killer combination, it can
find food practically anywhere.
environments? Its most significant adaptation is its skill as a
hunter and its potent venom. With that killer combination, it can
find food practically anywhere.
Speaking of hunting skills, the king cobra has excellent vision, able
to spot prey from 300 feet (91 meters) away. It also has a
superb sense of smell, having one of the longest forked tongues
in the snake kingdom. As you know, snakes use their tongues to
smell, picking up particles in the air. While king cobras may not
have ears, they can sense vibrations on the ground, which is how
they are able to dance to a snake charmer’s flute.
to spot prey from 300 feet (91 meters) away. It also has a
superb sense of smell, having one of the longest forked tongues
in the snake kingdom. As you know, snakes use their tongues to
smell, picking up particles in the air. While king cobras may not
have ears, they can sense vibrations on the ground, which is how
they are able to dance to a snake charmer’s flute.
King cobras are usually olive green, brown or black, with pale
bands, which help them to blend in with vegetation. They also
have large, stretchable jaws, which allow them to swallow prey
whole.
bands, which help them to blend in with vegetation. They also
have large, stretchable jaws, which allow them to swallow prey
whole.
6. Can King Cobras Swim?
The king cobra is not just great at climbing trees and slithering on
land. It can also swim, which is why it is usually found near water.
land. It can also swim, which is why it is usually found near water.
7. The King Cobra’s Diet
The scientific name of the king cobra is Ophiophagus hannah,
from the Greek ophio “snake” and phagus “to eat”. Indeed, the
king cobra does feed mostly on other snakes, venomous and
non-venomous alike, such as kraits, true cobras and small
pythons, as well as other king cobras. It has also been known to
eat lizard eggs, frogs, rats and birds, and even monitor lizards!
King cobras hunt during the day. When they find prey, they
approach slowly and strike rapidly. As soon as their venom takes
effect, paralyzing the helpless animal, the king cobra begins to
swallow its prey whole.
from the Greek ophio “snake” and phagus “to eat”. Indeed, the
king cobra does feed mostly on other snakes, venomous and
non-venomous alike, such as kraits, true cobras and small
pythons, as well as other king cobras. It has also been known to
eat lizard eggs, frogs, rats and birds, and even monitor lizards!
King cobras hunt during the day. When they find prey, they
approach slowly and strike rapidly. As soon as their venom takes
effect, paralyzing the helpless animal, the king cobra begins to
swallow its prey whole.
8. Fight or Flight?
The king cobra has a reputation for having a bad temper but in
truth, it is more likely to flee when encountering humans.
truth, it is more likely to flee when encountering humans.
When it does happen to be in a bad mood or is cornered, the
king cobra will first take up its signature defensive stance, lifting
up to a third of its body off the ground. If it can grow up to
almost 19 feet (5.8 meters) — remember that longest one above?
— then it would stand over 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall! It will look its
attacker in the eye, extend its hood and produce a low growling
sound. At this point, it is best to back away slowly, and throw a
hat or a shirt on the ground as a distraction. If you don’t, the next
thing the king cobra will do is strike and, mind you, it can strike
from 7 feet (2.1 meters) away. It can deliver several bites, too, or
deliver just one and hold on.
9. Mother King Cobras
Most snakes do not have a reputation for being good mothers.
They lay their eggs and then vanish. The female king cobra is
different, though. After mating, she lays twenty to fifty eggs in a
nest made of twigs and leaves. Then she covers the eggs and
rests on top, guarding the eggs until they hatch, which can take
up to 90 days. Just before hatching time, the female leaves the
nest. Why? Scientists believe it may be to avoid the temptation
to eat her own young, since she hasn’t hunted and is starving at
that point.
They lay their eggs and then vanish. The female king cobra is
different, though. After mating, she lays twenty to fifty eggs in a
nest made of twigs and leaves. Then she covers the eggs and
rests on top, guarding the eggs until they hatch, which can take
up to 90 days. Just before hatching time, the female leaves the
nest. Why? Scientists believe it may be to avoid the temptation
to eat her own young, since she hasn’t hunted and is starving at
that point.
10. What Eats King Cobras?
With all that venom, you might think the king cobra is at the top
of the food chain, but this isn’t the case. King cobras can be
eaten by mongooses, which are immune to the venom and are
agile enough to avoid their strikes. Of course, they can also be
preyed on by humans.
of the food chain, but this isn’t the case. King cobras can be
eaten by mongooses, which are immune to the venom and are
agile enough to avoid their strikes. Of course, they can also be
preyed on by humans.
Young king cobras have even more predators. At birth, king
cobras may already be nearly 2 feet (0.6 meters) long and have
as much venom as their parents, enabling them to hunt from
birth. They are often hunted, however, falling prey to mongooses,
civets, saltwater crocodiles, adult king cobras and even army ants
and giant centipedes.
cobras may already be nearly 2 feet (0.6 meters) long and have
as much venom as their parents, enabling them to hunt from
birth. They are often hunted, however, falling prey to mongooses,
civets, saltwater crocodiles, adult king cobras and even army ants
and giant centipedes.
11. Are King Cobras Endangered?
Currently, the king cobra is listed as a Vulnerable Species, which
is one step above Endangered. This means that its population is
decreasing and it is likely to become endangered if reproduction
rates do not increase and/or the threats to its population are not
lessened.
is one step above Endangered. This means that its population is
decreasing and it is likely to become endangered if reproduction
rates do not increase and/or the threats to its population are not
lessened.
The largest threat to the king cobra is currently loss of habitat
due to deforestation. Also, it is hunted for its meat and skin, and
its bile is used as an ingredient in traditional medicines.
due to deforestation. Also, it is hunted for its meat and skin, and
its bile is used as an ingredient in traditional medicines.
12. King Cobras as Pets
Can a king cobra be kept as a pet? It is possible, but it is neither
easy nor advisable. For one thing, the king cobra can grow to
enormous lengths and therefore needs a really large cage.
easy nor advisable. For one thing, the king cobra can grow to
enormous lengths and therefore needs a really large cage.
Second, it needs to be fed snakes. Third, its venom is highly toxic
and if the snake is mishandled, it can easily kill. Some animals
just don’t make good pets! Admire them from afar.
and if the snake is mishandled, it can easily kill. Some animals
just don’t make good pets! Admire them from afar.
ipfactly
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