Latest news with #Ophiophagus
National Geographic
30-04-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
King cobra
Scientific Name: Ophiophagus hannah Average Life Span In The Wild: 20 years Size relative to a 6-ft man: The king cobra—one of the most venomous snakes on the planet—can literally "stand up" and look a full-grown person in the eye. When confronted, they can lift up to a third of its body off the ground and still move forward to attack. Fortunately, king cobras are shy and will avoid humans whenever possible. It will also flare out its iconic hood and emit a hiss that sounds almost like a growling dog. King cobras can reach 18 feet in length, making them the longest of all venomous snakes. Although zoologist Theodore Cantor first described the king cobra as one species in 1836, the snakes have recently undergone a rebranding. Differences in genetics and physical characteristics point to the snakes belonging to four separate species: the Northern king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), the Sunda king cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus), the Western Ghats king cobra (Ophiophagus kaalinga), and the Luzon king cobra (Ophiophagus salvatana). Venom King cobra venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes, but the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite—up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce—is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant. Their venom affects the respiratory centers in the brain, causing respiratory arrest and cardiac failure. Habitat and behavior King cobras live mainly in the rain forests and plains of India, southern China, and Southeast Asia, and their coloring can vary greatly from region to region. They are comfortable in a variety of habitats, including forests, bamboo thickets, mangrove swamps, high-altitude grasslands, and in rivers. According to the new taxonomic designations, the Northern king cobra (O. hannah) can be found in eastern Pakistan, northern and eastern India, the Andaman Islands, southern China, south to central Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Sunda king cobra (O. bungarus) inhabits Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of the southern Philippines. The Western Ghats king cobra (O. kaalinga) lives in its namesake mountain range in southwestern India. Finally, the Luzon king cobra (O. salvatana) can only be found on the island of Luzon in northern Philippines. True to their genus name which means snake-eater in Greek, the serpents feed mainly on other snakes, venomous and nonvenomous. Some have even been documented eating other king cobras. They will also eat lizards, eggs, and small mammals. King cobras are known to fight other males to win the attention of females during breeding season. They are the only snakes in the world that build nests for their eggs, which they guard ferociously until the hatchlings emerge. Snake charmers King cobras may be best known as the snake of choice for the snake charmers of South Asia. Although cobras can hear, they are actually deaf to ambient noises, sensing ground vibrations instead. Snake charming is 'often a sad con game in which an exhausted cobra is put on the defensive, yet conditioned (with pain) not to strike the flutist,' Smithsonian's National Zoo says. Threats to survival The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists king cobras as vulnerable to extinction, but hasn't assessed the risk of the new individual species. These snakes face a variety of threats stemming from human activities. Heavy deforestation in Southeast Asia has destroyed the habitats of many king cobras, while they are also harvested in large numbers for skin, food, and medicinal purposes. They are also collected for the international pet trade. King cobras are also persecuted by humans who fear their menacing reputation. Conservation In Vietnam, the Northern king cobra is a protected species. Protected areas within this snake's geographic range likely provide some safeguards, and organizations like the King Cobra Conservancy work to better understand the behaviors of the species in order to educate the public and protect the snake's habitat. The Indian government implants microchips in captive king cobras to allow officials to identify any snakes that have newly been taken captive—which has been outlawed—in order to reduce the illegal wildlife trade.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Massive king cobra rescued and released near Zolambe village in Kolhapur
Kolhapur : A massive 15-foot-long king cobra was rescued and released back into the wild near Zolambe village in Dodamarg taluka, Sindhudurg district . The snake was spotted slithering along a busy road, prompting alarmed villagers to alert snake rescuer Vitthal Gawas and the forest department. Gawas safely captured the venomous reptile, and it was later released into its natural habitat in the presence of forest officials. "The huge size of the snake caused panic among the villagers, and hence it was necessary to capture it without causing any harm to either the snake or the people," said Gawas. "After it was caught, the Dodamarg forest officer was informed, and a team led by range forest officer Vaishali Mandal arrived at the site. After careful assessment, the King Cobra was released into its natural forest habitat." Sindhudurg, rich in biodiversity, remains a vital refuge for rare and threatened species, underscoring the need for active conservation. "The king cobra is generally associated with dense forested areas, and Dodamarg has long been recognised as part of its natural range," said Mandal. "The villagers are advised not to panic upon sightings as king cobras usually avoid human settlements. If sighted, one should immediately contact the forest department." The first official record of a king cobra in Maharashtra dates back to 2015 from Tilari in Chandgad taluka, Kolhapur district, highlighting the ecological value of the northern Western Ghats. Ophiologist Rahul Shinde added, "The king cobra is identifiable by its yellowish-olive, greyish-green, or mossy-coloured body with pale crossbands. Unlike the Indian cobra, its hood is narrower and less flared. It is primarily ophiophagous, feeding on other snakes, and avoids human habitation." Shinde said that while previously considered a single species across Asia, genetic studies have now reclassified king cobras into four species. In the Western Ghats, including Dodamarg, they are now identified as Ophiophagus kalinga, distinct from Ophiophagus hannah found in northern and eastern India.
Forbes
24-04-2025
- Science
- Forbes
This 18-Foot Serpent's ‘Cannibal Diet' Will Surprise You — It's Also The Longest Venomous Snake Alive
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.
