King Cobra Snake - Ophiophagus hannah (World's longest venomous snake)

Amazing King Cobra Snake - King Cobra Facts, Photos, Information, Habitats, News


The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m (18.5 ft). This species is widespread throughout Southeast Asia and parts of India, and is found mostly in forested areas. The king cobra can be fierce and agile, and can deliver a large quantity of highly potent venom in a single bite. It is one of the most dangerous and feared Asiatic snakes. The King Cobra is a large and powerful snake, averaging 3.6–4 m (12–13 feet) in length and typically weighing about 6 kg (13.2 lb). A particularly large specimen was kept captive at the London Zoo, and grew to 5.7 m (18.8 ft) before being euthanized upon the outbreak of World War II. Despite their large size, king cobras are fast and agile.

It seems unfairly menacing that a snake that can literally "stand up" and look a full-grown person in the eye would also be among the most venomous on the planet, but that describes the famous king cobra.

King cobras can reach 18 feet (5.5 meters) in length, making them the longest of all venomous snakes. When confronted, they can raise up to one-third of their bodies straight off the ground and still move forward to attack. They will also flare out their iconic hoods and emit a bone-chilling hiss that sounds almost like a growling dog.

Their venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes, but the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite—up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce (seven milliliters)—is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant. Fortunately, king cobras are shy and will avoid humans whenever possible, but they are fiercely aggressive when cornered.

King cobras live mainly in the rain forests and plains of India, southern China, and Southeast Asia, and their coloring can vary greatly from region to region. They are comfortable in the trees, on land, and in water, feeding mainly on other snakes, venomous and nonvenomous. They will also eat lizards, eggs, and small mammals.

They are the only snakes in the world that build nests for their eggs, which they guard ferociously until the hatchlings emerge.

King cobras may be best known as the species of choice for the snake charmers of South Asia. Although cobras can hear, they are actually deaf to ambient noises, sensing ground vibrations instead. The charmer's flute entices the cobra by its shape and movement, not by the music it emits.

Fast Facts about King Cobra Snake

Type: Reptile
Diet: Carnivore
Average life span in the wild: 20 years
Size: 13 ft (4 m)
Weight: Up to 20 lbs (9 kg)
Group name: Quiver
Did you know? Synthetic cobra venom is used in pain relievers and arthritis medication.

Courtesy : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Cobra

King Cobra Snake Images / Pictures

















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8 Comments

ravindran said…
very interesting. unfortunately on extinction.
Anonymous said…
we should protect these remarkable beings, the least we all can do is to stop buying the product made of these living things, which share the world with us.
Apparao said…
so far i have neverseen these type of snakes. thanks
apparao37
jainendra said…
very nice information
Anonymous said…
Comparing to black mamba or inland taipan, king cobras venom is not so poisonous. But the quantity of venom injecting will make all the difference. King cobra can inject venom up to 10 times more quantity than a black mamba can; which is enough to take down even an elephant.
If you keeping a KC and BM in single cage, BM will definitely be in KC's menu that night.

few points i want to share.

KC will never attack its enemy without raising its hood.

Its the only snake showing intense parental care and only one which make nest for eggs.

KC will chase a pray for more than 15 kilometers with out giving up.

If you accidentally in front of a king cobra, stay still. It will sniff and go. If you getting scared and makes any move, one lethal bite on the way with neurotoxin.

Striking distance of an adult KC will be anywhere around 3 meters. Only idiots will think 1-2 meter is a safe zone as for any other snakes.
kamal said…
as far as i know king cobra is the only snake known to take vengenance
if u ever encounter a king cobra dont hurt it or run away stay still or u might be poisoned if u ever hurt a king cobra and run away it will defenitely kill u before it dies as far as i know the king cobra can chase its prey for atleast 15 kilometers

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