This 18-Foot Serpent's ‘Cannibal Diet' Will Surprise You — It's Also The Longest Venomous Snake Alive

Forbes

24-04-2025

Scientists recently split the king cobra into four separate species — as if one wasn't terrifying ... More enough. Here's what these serpents actually eat.
Even casual snake fans have heard of the king cobra. And if you haven't, you probably live somewhere far from the humid forests of South or Southeast Asia, where this serpent still reigns. Or under a rock.
As a snake lover, I can tell you it's the longest venomous snake in the world. But as a herpetologist, I can tell you something even more niche: What we once thought was a single species is now understood to be four — together forming what biologists call a 'species complex.'
The four distinct species identified within the complex are:
Of these four species, the Northern king cobra is widely regarded as the king among kings — with recorded lengths reaching up to 18 feet. That's not far off from the average size of the world's longest constrictor alive, the reticulated python, which typically grows to around 20 feet.
But that's hardly the most surprising thing about the king cobra. For that, you'll want to look at its genus name. 'Ophiophagus' literally means 'snake-eater.'
(Sidebar: Impressive as its length is, the king cobra is still dwarfed by the longest snake ever discovered — a 47-foot prehistoric constrictor from Colombia. Learn why Colombia was the perfect breeding ground for such a giant here.)
While many snakes are generalist feeders — dining on rodents, birds, frogs or lizards — the king cobra is highly specialized. Although it's known to consume other creatures when desperate, it primarily preys on other snakes, including some venomous species like kraits and other cobras. In fact, it's this narrow dietary focus that helps define the genus Ophiophagus.
But what's less widely known — even among snake enthusiasts — is that king cobras don't always limit their appetite to other species. They've also been observed eating their own kind. This behavior, known as intraspecific predation, has been documented both in the wild and in captivity.
In one especially dramatic case in June 2024, a king cobra in Singapore was observed swallowing a smaller king cobra alive — the first confirmed instance of cannibalism involving this species in the country. It wasn't an act of desperation. It was clinical, deliberate and successful.
Cannibalism in king cobras often involves males and may occur in contexts of territory, dominance or limited prey availability. Herpetologists believe that in some cases, consuming a rival may serve dual purposes: eliminating competition and securing a substantial, high-protein meal.
Here's a video of a king cobra fighting another king cobra, likely a territorial flex, not meal prep:
What makes these snakes even more shiver-inducing is how they kill. Unlike constrictors, which rely on brute force to suffocate their prey, king cobras are precision venom injectors. They strike, latch on and deliver a potent dose of neurotoxin that shuts down the nervous system. And then, they wait.
The venom is so powerful, it could kill a fully grown elephant. So no, the waiting isn't a flaw in its design. It's just part of the strategy.
In some cases, they've been observed biting their prey, releasing it and retreating temporarily to avoid a potentially dangerous struggle — returning later once the venom has taken full effect. This precise predation was on full display in another sighting in Singapore (Mandai), where a ~5-meter-long king cobra was seen battling — and eventually consuming — a 3-meter-long reticulated python. Over six hours, the cobra bit and retreated in cycles, letting the venom do its work while avoiding the python's powerful coils. It was nature at its most patient and most brutal.
In the king cobra's world, power isn't just about venom or size. It's about timing, strategy and the unnerving ability to turn fellow snakes — even close relatives — into a hearty meal.
King cobras are formidable predators, and a healthy respect for their killing potential is valid. But some people have zoophobia, a persistent fear of animals. Take the science-backed Fear Of Animals Scale to learn where you stand.