As they face a variety of threats stemming from human activities, these snakes are vulnerable to extinction. Common Name: King cobras. Scientific Name: Ophiophagus hannah. Type: Reptiles. Diet: Carnivore. Group Name: Quiver. Size: 13 feet. Weight: Up to 20 pounds.
Size relative to a 6-ft man:. Least Concern Extinct. Current Population Trend: Decreasing. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo. Share Tweet Email.
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During the brood care period, the king cobra tends to be very aggressive toward approaching humans. The eggs incubate during spring and summer and hatch in the fall. While the king cobra has a fearsome reputation and is undoubtedly a very dangerous snake, it is not a particularly aggressive snake and prefers to escape unless it is provoked. It is more likely to attack people when cornered, in self-defense or to protect its eggs.
However, nesting females are more likely to attack without provocation. Across its range, king cobra causes fewer than five human deaths a year. Its weapon: venom. When a king cobra bites, it releases venom delivered from glands attached to its fangs.
The flexing of a small muscle forces the venom through the hollow fangs into the victim. Other toxins start digesting the paralyzed victim. In comparison to other snake species, the king cobra has great eyesight and is able to see a moving person almost feet away. Its hiss is similar to that of the rattle of a rattlesnake and is meant to act as a warning signal to stay away.
To impress a rival, male king cobras resort to wrestling. It will assume an upright posture without the hood extended in order to see over bushes or tall grasses.
A bite delivers venom from glands attached to the fangs. The flexing of a small muscle forces the venom through the hollow fangs into the victim. Within minutes, neurotoxins stun the prey's nervous system, especially the impulses for breathing. Other toxins start digesting the paralyzed victim.
In the United States, the study of cobra venom has yielded pain relievers such as Cobroxin, used to block nerve transmission and Nyloxin, used for severe arthritis pain.
The king cobra normally restricts its diet to cold-blooded animals, particularly other snakes. Some specimens develop a rigid diet of a single species of snake and will refuse any other type. The snakes eaten by the king cobra are mostly the larger harmless species, such as Asian rat snakes, dhamans and pythons up to about ten feet 3 meters in length. They may also dine on venomous Indian cobras, kraits and even small king cobras. Breeding usually occurs from January through April.
King cobras are oviparous and lay 21 to 40 white, leathery eggs. The female pushes leaves and branches into a nest pile where the eggs are incubated by the elevated temperatures of decomposition. The female remains on top of the nest to guard the eggs, and the male remains close by. During the brood care period, the king cobra tends to be very aggressive toward approaching humans.
The eggs of the king cobra incubate during spring and summer, hatching in the fall. It is possible that king cobras mate for life. Skip to main content. Entry passes are required for all guests, including infants. All visitors ages 2 and older are required to wear a mask in all indoor spaces at the Zoo, regardless of their vaccination status.
Fully vaccinated visitors do not need to wear a mask in outdoor areas. Reptile Discovery Center. King cobra. Animals Animals A-Z King cobra.
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