Natural Habitat for King Cobras

King cobras are the largest venomous snakes in the world. The average male measures 18 feet long, but some have surpassed 20 feet. When threatened, they hiss, rear up, flare their hoods and prepare to spit venom. They can raise up to 1/3 of their length, meaning that the biggest ones can stand as tall as an average man. They also have a reputation for being among the most intelligent of snakes.

  1. Range

    • King cobras live throughout Southeast Asia, from India into southern China, and down to Indonesia. Malaysia claims the honor of containing the largest recorded king cobra. Their range in India is spotty, where they live mostly in the northeastern states, and in Assam, Bengal, and Orissa. King cobras also live in Bangladesh and the foothills of Himalayan Nepal.

    Rainforest Dwellers

    • King cobras live in jungles and rainforests. They prefer thick undergrowth, and often frequent swamps and clusters of bamboo. King cobras can slither up trees, using this vantage point to hunt for prey. Some also live in grasslands and dryer forests. They like to live near water, and are able to swim.

    Diet

    • This corn snake could fall prey to a king cobra.

      King cobras mostly eat other reptiles, such as lizards and snakes. They paralyze prey with one fast-killing bite. Technically, the prey dies of suffocation, as the venom stops the lungs and heart. Prey is swallowed whole, headfirst. The zoological name for the king cobra is Ophiophagus hannah. Ophiophagus is Latin for snake eater.

    Parenting

    • Before laying eggs, the mother-to-be uses her head and body to mold a nest of leaves. She lays 20 to 40 eggs among the leaves, then covers the leaves and eggs with her body for incubation. Male king cobras aren't deadbeat dads. Parents take turns hunting for food and guarding the nest. They have been known to kill elephants who venture too near by striking them on the tips of their trunks. King cobras are the only snakes to build nests for their young.

    Threats to Habitat

    • Ideally, king cobras live far from humans. They are shy and private animals who want to be left in peace. As humans encroach on Asian rainforests, human/cobra conflict has increased. This is often deadly. While the venom of king cobras is weaker than that of smaller cobras, an average dose of their venom is enough to kill 20 people. Because people fear being killed by a cobra, they often kill the snake first if they get the chance. Cobras are also killed and their skins made into purses and belts.

    Snake Charmers

    • King cobras are also removed from the wild by snake charmers. A common protection for snake charmers is to remove the venom sacs and fangs from the snakes. This is against the law, and considered unfair and harmful to the cobras.