King Cobraキングコブラ

Species Data

Classification

Squamata / Elapidae Source

Distribution

Ranges across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and southern China, including Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, mainly in forested hills. Source

Did You Know?

• The genus name Ophiophagus means "snake-eater," and its royal common name likewise reflects a diet that consists chiefly of other snakes, including smaller king cobras. Source
• A single bite can inject over 200 mg of venom, an amount reportedly large enough to be lethal even to an elephant. Source
• It is the only snake species known to build an above-ground nest of leaves and other debris, with the female actively guarding the eggs throughout incubation. Source

FAQ

What does a king cobra eat?

Its diet is dominated by other snakes—including venomous species and even smaller king cobras—supplemented occasionally by lizards and small mammals. Source

How dangerous is king cobra venom?

A single bite can deliver more than 200 mg of neurotoxic venom, a quantity large enough that it is sometimes described as capable of killing an elephant, though human fatalities are less common than with some other cobra species due to lower encounter rates. Source

Is the king cobra the only snake that builds a nest?

Yes. It is the only known snake species that constructs an above-ground nest from leaf litter and vegetation, and the female stays to guard the eggs until they hatch. Source