King Cobra Size report
Snakes have lived on the earth for more than 120 million years and are a relatively late evolution of reptiles. The venomous snake appeared later, but its predation method is the most advanced and the least labor-intensive. When it comes to venomous snakes, the first species many people think of is the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah). The king cobra is one of the largest venomous snakes in the world.
It is worth mentioning that although the king cobra is called a "cobra," this species is different from the cobra family. It is not a member of the genus Cobra but belongs to the independent genus King Cobra. Compared with the cobra, the king cobra has a more ferocious temperament, extremely quick response, flexible head and neck rotation, and a large amount of detoxification. It is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world.
King cobras are extremely venomous. Its main food is other snake species close to its habitat, so it is difficult to see other snakes in the king cobra's territory. The blood circulation toxin of the king cobra, because the amount is large with only one bite, can cause the victim to suffer from cardiac arrest and die. The king cobra's diet does not include humans and hardly attacks people actively. Let's learn more about how big the king cobra will grow and how they live.
King Cobra Size And Appearance
King cobras are large snakes. The back of the body is dark brown, and the lower jaw is mostly khaki; the ventral surface of the body is grayish brown with black linear markings. There are V-shaped yellow-white markings on the back of the neck, without spectacle markings; there are narrow white stripes with black borders on the back of the trunk and tail. In addition to the two top scales on the top of the head, there is also a pair of large scales on the back, called pillow scales. The markings of young snakes are different from those of adults. There are mainly yellow and white horizontal stripes on the back of the snout and eyes of babies and a black body with more than 35 light yellow or white horizontal stripes.
The king cobra has a unique attack method: erect the upper half of the body, expand the skin of the neck, and the neck will be flattened like a cobra. The difference between king cobras and cobras is that there are no complex spectacle markings on the necks of king cobras, only a few white horizontal stripes.
Average Size of King Cobra
The king cobra is the largest of the venomous snakes and the longest of all venomous snakes. The length of the whole body can be as long as 3-5.5 meters, equivalent to almost three adults' height. The longest king cobra ever recorded is 5,58 meters long. Their bodies are also thick, even thicker than an adult's ankle. Adult weight is generally 5-6 kg. The lifespan is about 15-20 years. Its venom glands produce a lot, and the amount of toxin expelled at one bite is enough to kill a person instantly; the average amount of venom discharged at one time can reach 100 mg, which is more than 20 times that of the coral snake.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ophiophagus hannah |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Average Length | 3-5.5 m |
| Average Weight | 5-6 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years |
Living Habits of King Cobra
King cobras mostly inhabit coastal lowlands to mountainous areas at an altitude of 1,800 meters. Snakes live widely in plains, hills, and mountains. They often appear near water or hide in crevices or caves. They are also found near villages in forested areas. They like to live alone and are active during the day; they mainly feed on other snakes and lizards. The king cobra is agile; its head and neck can turn flexibly, then attack from different directions.
The king cobra is viviparous, usually laying eggs in June, and the number of eggs laid can reach 51. They build their nests out of fallen leaves and dead branches, and the king cobra is the only snake to build a nest. The female snake has the habit of protecting eggs and guards the nest until the young snakes hatch.
Conclusion
The king cobra's venom is a class of mixed toxins, including neurotoxins and blood circulation toxins, mainly neurotoxins. The bitten person showed muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, and coagulation dysfunction and died of heart failure. The south, where king cobras are widely distributed, is also where human activities are frequent. Many people have inadvertently invaded the king cobra's home and have been attacked. Since the 1990s, this species has declined sharply in many habitats due to habitat destruction and human hunting. In this case, protecting the natural ecological environment and curbing or eradicating the killing of wild king cobras are the only hope for king cobras to survive.
