Facts, Information, Scientific Name of King Cobra
King Cobra
Scientific name– Ophiophagus hannah
Ophiophagus– snake eating and hannah– Residing on a Tree.
I attack only when I am threatened,
On the tree branches, I dwell and settled.
The King cobra snake’s height is 11ft-13 ft.
Distribution and Habitat-
King Cobra is found in India, southern China and south-eastern Asia. They are found in streams, forests, bamboo thickets, swamps, in humid climates. They migrate in winter to be warm. They also travel for food and are very good swimmers.
What does King Cobra Snake Eat?
King Cobras feed on Snakes, Birds, lizards,etc.
The habit of the King Cobras.
Being the largest Venomous snake king cobra is a shy snake. It attacks only when it is threatened. During the attack it raises its hood to the top half of the body, followed by hissing and display of fangs. They are solitary snakes that camouflage in the environment, trees and leaf-covered branches. It might hang down to catch and feed on another snake.
King Cobra have an effective venom to kill a full-sized elephant.
How to identify a King Cobra?
King Cobra have great eyesight. It can spot prey from top branches. It has a good sense of smell. The slender body is covered with smooth scales. The long hood is displayed when threatened.
the king cobra has Grey, black, and brown scales with yellowish-whitebands throughout the body till the end of the tail. The hood possesses an inverted ‘V-shaped band.
Juvenile King cobras have glossy black and milky white or yellowish bands
The underside of the body is pale yellow or grey with dark shades on the outer edge of the upper scales.
Reproduction and Nest building-
January to April is the mating period. The courtship includes the competition of king cobras that wrestles with another male. The strongest male mate with a female. King cobras are monogamous.
Female Cobra built the nest with grass, twigs, and vegetation that forms a pile. The temperature of the nest is 80° Fahrenheit.
Incubation is for 51-79 days. Female guards and stays in nest. The hatchlings are 12-29 inches long.
Threats to King Cobras-
King cobras are trapped by Poachers and killed for the skin. They are sold illegally as a pet trade.
Snake charmers used King cobras, without any expertise. Habitat loss and deforestation are other reasons the King Cobra population is Vulnerable.
- Also see – Paradise Flying Snake