Available now
Mark O'Shea's new softback edition
Venomous Snakes of the World. Also his Dangerous Snakes of Papua New Guinea stamp issue
and all his other books on the new 'O'Shea's Herp Shop'
Available now
new edition
DK Handbook to Reptiles and Amphibians. Visit the
'O'Shea's Herp Shop'
EXHIBIT 15.
KING COBRA Ophiophagus hannah
The Longest Venomous Snake in the World
With a recorded length of 6.0m, the king cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world by a clear 2.0m. They can rear up one third of their length which means a fully grown hooding king could raise itself 2.0m off the ground. It is also the only snake that builds a nest in which it was care of its eggs, driving away or killing all threats, even elephants.
The name "Ophiophagus" is Latin for snake-swallower, king cobras eat other snakes including pythons. Their venom is not the most toxic of any cobra, it is quantity not quality that kills when a king cobra bites. King cobras are also known to growl and show a fang as a threat to a potential enemy.
South and Southeast Asia (southern, northern & northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, southern China, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia & Philippines).
