King Cobra

The King Cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world, capable of reaching nearly 6 m (19.7 ft) in exceptional cases. Native to forests across South and Southeast Asia, it is unique among snakes for building a nest of leaves to guard its eggs.

Its venom is highly toxic and delivered in large quantities, making it medically significant and capable of causing serious envenomation in humans, although it generally avoids confrontation and prefers to retreat when possible.

• Very large, long-bodied snake, typically 3-4 m (10-13 ft), occasionally longer
• Olive, brown, or blackish coloration, sometimes with faint pale crossbands
• Distinctive narrow hood, less broad than true cobras, formed by elongated neck ribs
• Large, smooth head scales including a pair of large occipital scales unique to the species
• Round pupils and a slender, athletic build

Its great length, narrower hood shape, and the distinctive occipital scales on the head separate it from true cobras of the genus Naja.

The King Cobra inhabits dense forests, bamboo thickets, and forest edges, often near water. Its range spans from India and southern China through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia, generally avoiding heavily developed areas though occasionally encountered near rural settlements.

This species is primarily diurnal and highly alert, with excellent vision for detecting prey and threats at a distance. It feeds almost exclusively on other snakes, including venomous species, and occasionally monitor lizards. It is the only snake known to build a nest for its eggs, which the female guards until hatching. When threatened, it can raise a third or more of its body off the ground and produce a distinctive growl-like hiss.