Cobra Snake(Known as King Cobra)
The King Cobra, found in India is the largest venomous snake in the world. In a single bite it can inject enough venom to kill an elephant - up to 6 - 7 ml. This is enough to kill up to 20 people. The venom of King Cobras has a paralyzing effect on the nerves and has been used to develop painkillers used to treat arthritis in humans.
Physical Feature
King Cobras grow to an average length of 3.7 m (12 ft). The longest recorded King Cobra was 5.58 m. When threatened, the King Cobra reacts by putting on a threat display. It rises to one-third the length of its body, spreads its hood and emits a hissing noise. The King Cobra has scales covering its skin and looks shiny but is dry to touch. Adults are yellow, green, brown, or black; the throat is light yellow or cream-colored. Young King Cobras, which are about 14 inches long, have bright markings on their bodies. They often have yellow, white or black bands across their bodies. These bright bands fade with time to become the broad chevron like markings seen on adult cobras.
Habitat & Diets
The King Cobra is generally found in deep jungles and mild cool climates with a lot of humidity. Thick undergrowth, cool swamps and bamboo clusters. Cobras prefer to avoid human habitation. The destruction of their habitat has led to increased human cobra conflict. Cobras can slide up trees and bushes and spend a significant amount of time above the ground, looking for prey.
The King Cobra eats mice, rats, snakes, lizards, birds, frogs and fish. Like all snakes, they swallow the prey whole, head first. The top and bottom jaws are attached to each other with stretchy ligaments, which let the snake swallow animals wider that itself. Snakes can't chew their prey; food is digested by very strong acids in the snake's stomach. It can go without food
Key Factors
Family: Elapidae
Zoological name: Ophiophagus hannah
Indian Cobra: Naja Naja
Spitting Cobra: Naja Nigricollis
Egyptian Cobra: Naja Haje
Range: King Cobras are found across South East Asia from India through Southern China, Vietnam Malaysia Indonesia and the Philippines. The largest recorded King Cobras have been found in peninsular Malaysia.
Estimated population: Exact numbers of King Cobra population in India are unknown. They are considered an endangered species.
Major Sites
The King Cobra is found and Malaysia, India, Africa, China. In India, the king Cobra can be found in the National Parks and Reserves of Buxa, Corbett, Manas, Namdhapa, Simlipal, and the Sunderbans.
Present Status
King Cobras are threatened by the reduction of rainforest jungle and bamboo groves. The destruction of their natural habitat has led King Cobras to come into conflict with humans. The fear of the cobra's venom often leads to Cobras being killed as soon as they are seen. Cobras are usually killed due to human encroachment. They are also killed for their skin which is used to make leather items such as belts, purses and bags.