King Cobra/Kinds/Venom/Bite/hunting/mating season

King Cobra/Western Ghats king cobra/Indo-Chinese king cobra/ Indo-Malayan king cobra/ Luzon king cobra/Venom/bite/hunting/mating season

King Cobra:

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a magnificent and highly venomous snake that holds a position of awe and fascination in the world of reptiles. Known for its impressive size and potent venom, the king cobra is a master predator and a symbol of both power and danger. Let's delve into the world of this remarkable serpent and explore its kinds, territory, physical characteristics, mating season, venom, biting behavior, and hunting techniques.

The king cobra, with a typical length of 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.6 meters) and a maximum length of 18 feet (5.4 meters), is the longest venomous snake in the world. It inhabits forests and wetlands in India and Southeast Asia.

Q: How many kinds of king cobra?

A: There are four

types of king cobras that are currently recognized:

1. Western Ghats king cobra

2. Indo-Chinese king cobra

3. Indo-Malayan king cobra

4. Luzon king cobra

Western Ghats king cobra:

The most common subspecies of king cobra, known as the Western Ghats king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah hannah), lives in the Western Ghats of India. The average length of this subspecies is 12 feet (3.6 metres), making it the longest.

Indo-Chinese king cobra:

From Myanmar to Vietnam, Southeast Asia is home to the Indo-Chinese king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah nicobaricus). It averages 10 feet (3 metres) in length, making it significantly shorter than the Western Ghats subspecies.

Indo-Malayan king cobra:

The Peninsular Malaysian and Bornean populations of the Indo-Malayan king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah siamensis) are the largest. It averages 8 feet (2.4 metres) in length, making it the shortest of the subspecies.

Luzon king cobra:

The Philippine island of Luzon is home to the Luzon king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah cebuensis). It is the newest subspecies to be described and the only one of its kind that is not in risk of extinction.

Territory:

India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are just few of the nations where you can find the king cobra in its natural habitat of forests and grasslands. It prefers to live in humid environments, such as jungles, rainforests, or bamboo thickets, where it may easily locate food and cover.

Although the precise size of the king cobra's home range is unknown, estimates put it at about 2,000,000 square kilometers.

Physical Characteristics:

One of the most notable features of the king cobra is its size. It is the world's longest known venomous snake, often reaching lengths of 10 to 18 feet (3 to 5.5 meters), with some exceptional individuals even surpassing 18 feet. Its slender body is covered in smooth scales that are typically olive green or brown, providing excellent camouflage in its natural habitat. The king cobra also has a distinctive hood, which it can expand when threatened to display intimidating patterns of black and white scales.

Mating Season:

The mating season for king cobras typically occurs during the early months of the monsoon season, which varies across its range. During this time, males engage in fierce competition, engaging in ritualistic combat where they rear up and attempt to overpower their rivals. The victorious male earns the right to mate with a receptive female.

Venom:

The venom of the king cobra is very neurotoxic, which it injects into its prey through long, hollow fangs. Its venom is powerful enough to immobilize and kill even large animals, including other snakes. While precise quantities can vary, an adult king cobra can deliver a lethal dose of venom ranging from 200 to 500 milligrams in a single bite, although it typically injects smaller amounts. The venom affects the nervous system, leading to respiratory failure and paralysis.

Bite:

When the king cobra bites, it delivers its venom through a pair of elongated fangs located at the front of its mouth. Unlike some venomous snakes, the king cobra can control the amount of venom it injects into its prey or threats, allowing it to conserve its venom when not necessary. However, if provoked or cornered, it may deliver a full envenomation in a defensive strike.

Hunting:

The king cobra is an adept hunter, feeding primarily on other snakes, including venomous species such as cobras and kraits. It also preys on lizards, small mammals, and birds. Despite its size, the king cobra is agile and swift, using its excellent eyesight and flickering tongue to locate prey. It typically ambushes its victims, delivering a swift bite and then patiently tracking the prey until it succumbs to the venom. The king cobra's ability to overpower and consume other venomous snakes makes it a remarkable and fearsome predator.

FAQ:

Q: Why is king cobra poisonous?

A: The venom of the king cobra is very neurotoxic, which it injects into its prey through long, hollow fangs. The venom affects the nervous system, leading to respiratory failure and paralysis.

Q: How aggressive is king cobra?

A: King cobras are not aggressive snakes, Unless they feel threatened. However, if you are bitten by a king cobra, you should seek quick medical assistance because of the severity of the bite.

Q: Can human survive from king cobra?

Yes, it is possible for a human to survive a king cobra bite. However, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. But in most cases, a king cobra bite can kill a person within 30 minutes to 3 hours. Even though an elephant takes longer to die, the situation is still very bad.