What Are Six Important Things About King Cobra Snake?

A fascinating creature of the reptile world, the king cobra snake has many unique and important features. Known to science as Ophiophagus hanna, the king cobra is found mainly in southern China, southeast Asia and mainland India. Its hooded neck helps make the cobra one of the most distinguishable snakes in the world. While 270 different types of cobras exist in the wild, the snakes are usually found in highland forests near a water source.

  1. Deadly Venom

    • The King cobra is the longest of all venomous snakes with an average length of 13.1 feet (4 meters). Though theirs is not the most poisonous venom in the world, king cobras inject so much venom with one bite that they can paralyze and kill animals as large as elephants. In addition, the cobra is the only snake in the world that can actually spit its venom at enemies. For bite victims, a special drug made from cobra venom, antivenin, is administered.

    Breeding Habits

    • Another unique detail about king cobras is their nesting habits; theirs is the only nest to be constructed on the ground. Because the nests are prone to attacks by hungry, egg-seeking animals such as mongoose and wild boar, cobras will defend their nests relentlessly. The male and female cobras take turns guarding the nest and hunting. The snake lays between 20 and 40 eggs, which are incubated for 60 to 90 days. Baby cobras, or hatchlings, are about 19.7 inches (50cm) at birth.

    Hunting Prey

    • Cobras consume a large variety of animals including birds, lizards, frogs, fish, rabbits and rats. King cobras will also consume other snakes. The snake tracks its prey by smell, using its forked tongue to "taste" the air. After injecting victims with a large amount of venom, the king cobra will eat the animal whole by using its jaws to devour its meal. The process takes several hours to complete, but one meal can sustain the snake for a few weeks.

    Religious Implications

    • Cobras have long been revered in both Indian and Asian religions. In some cultures, king cobras have been worshiped as sun deities and linked to thunder, rain and fertility. On the Hindu lunar holiday Nag Panchami, Hindus cease from plowing and working in the fields to respect cobras. The likenesses of cobras are also seen guarding many entranceways of Hindu and Buddhist temples.

    Snake Charmers

    • King cobras have been popularized throughout much of history for their use by South Asian snake charmers, who "charm" the snake to dance using a flute. Contrary to claims, cobras are not enticed by the music played but rather by the flute's shape and movements. Cobras are not deaf; they simply cannot hear ambient noise and instead rely on sensing ground vibrations.

    Defense Mechanisms

    • Perhaps the most unique talent of the king cobra is its ability to raise up to one-third of its body off the ground when confronted or intimidated by an enemy. The snake also flares out a hood from either side of its neck, which makes it appear deceptively larger and even more menacing. Its final defense is a loud hiss emitted to alert and warn those in its path.