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Learn about the king cobra, the longest and most venomous snake in the world, and its habitat, behavior, and threats. See stunning images of this reptile and its distinctive hood.
- The King Cobra is Not a True Cobra. There is some debate over what exactly a ‘cobra’ is. Depending on how a cobra is classified, there are between 28 – 270 different species of cobra.
- The King Cobra is the Longest of All Venomous Snakes. The king cobra is the longest venomous snake of the hundreds of species that exist in the animal kingdom.
- Their ‘Neck-flap’ Hoods Are Actually Ribs. Some people think that king cobras always wear flared hoods. But that’s not the case. A king cobra’s unique hood flares around its face when it is defending itself as a threat display.
- King Cobras Live for a Long Time. These snakes have a lifespan of over twenty years in the wild. They are less vulnerable to droughts, food shortages, and other natural disasters than other animals and reptiles may be since they can go for extended periods of time without eating and don’t need much water.
The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous snake endemic to Asia. The sole member of the genus Ophiophagus , it is not taxonomically a true cobra , despite its common name and some resemblance.
Learn about the king cobra, a venomous snake that lives in South and Southeast Asia. Find out how it hunts, defends itself, and builds nests for its eggs.
- The King Cobra Is the Longest of All Venomous Snakes. There are hundreds of species of venomous snakes in the animal kingdom, but the king cobra is the longest of all of them.
- Their 'Hoods' Are Actually Ribs. When a king cobra is on the defense, it produces a distinctive hood that flares around its face. This hood, as well as other parts of the snake's body, all have markings that are unique to the king cobra.
- Their Venom Is a Deadly Neurotoxin. Poisonous snakes are generally divided into two types of venom classifications: neurotoxic and hemotoxic. A neurotoxin is any poison that directly affects the nervous system of a human or animal.
- They Are Cannibals. King Cobras are considered cannibalistic because they really only eat other snakes. On occasion, they may eat a small animal, rodent, or bird, but that's more characteristic of a common cobra.
Learn about the king cobra, the largest venomous snake in the world, native to India and Southeast Asia. Find out how they hunt, breed, and interact with humans and other snakes.
Basic facts about King Cobra: lifespan, distribution and habitat map, lifestyle and social behavior, mating habits, diet and nutrition, population size and status.
