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Family : ELAPIDAE
Species : Ophiophagus hannah etc.
Maximum Size : 5.85 metres
Ophiophagus hannah
(King Cobra)
is the world's largest venomous snake. A single bite from a King Cobra may result in a
fatality if not quickly treated.
Recent studies (Das et al, 2024) have proposed a split of the Ophiophagus
hannah species complex into 4 separate species.
This large snake inhabits forests and plantations from lowland areas to around 2000 metres elevation.
In Southeast Asia the King Cobra appears to be less defensive/aggressive than
its cousin in India. However, females can be extremely defensive/aggressive when
protecting a clutch of eggs, which typically lie concealed in a nest made of
fallen leaves.
The scientific name of Ophiophagus means 'snake-eating'; they feed mainly on other snakes,
particularly rat snakes, and
sometimes lizards. Active by day or night, they are commonly found patrolling forest
streams.
Adults can
be identified by their huge size and, when fully spread, their majestic
hood. Smaller specimens may be confused with rat snakes. The most reliable
means to identification are the large, black-edged head shields (i.e. the
scales on top of the head).
Their body colour can be various shades of brown including
olive-brown, yellow-brown, medium brown, dark brown, or occasionally black.
Juveniles are dark-bodied with equally-spaced, narrow, pale yellow bands,
and a pale yellow underside.
Members of the Ophiophagus hannah species complex occur in India, Bangladesh and
other parts of the Indian Subcontinent to Southern China and much of Southeast Asia.
Figs 1 to 4 : Four images of a large, 3.5 metre example found searching
the base of a tree at Taman Negara, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 5 : The King Cobra is an excellent swimmer. This example was
seen in an inlet in Singapore.
Fig 6 : A 3.1 metre example at the edge of a road passing through
Singapore's central forests.
Fig 7 : Juvenile in defensive posture, at Kaeng Krachan province,
Phetchaburi, Thailand. Photo thanks to Charles Currin.
References :
Das I., Gowri Shankar P., Swamy P., Williams R.C., Lalremsanga H.T.,
Prashanth P., Sahoo G., Vijayakumar S.P., Höglund J., Shanker K., Dutta
S.K., Ganesh S.R. & Wüster W. 2024. Taxonomic revision of the king
cobra Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor, 1836) species complex
(Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae), with the description of two new
species. European Journal of Taxonomy 961: 1–51
Manthey U., Grossmann W., 1997. Amphibien und Reptilien Sudostasiens.
Natur und Tier - Verlag.
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