King Cobra
Ophiophagus hannah
King Cobra: The Regal Snake-Eating Sovereign
Meet Ophiophagus hannah, the longest venomous snake and forest heavyweight of Asia. This ophiophagous champ builds nests, stands tall, and growls like a grumpy pup.
- Max Length
- 18 feet (5.5 m)
- Weight Range
- 6-12 kg
- Diet
- Other snakes (ophiophagous)
- IUCN Status
- Vulnerable
- New Species Split
- 4 species in 2024
Size & Stats
Adults stretch 10-13 feet on average, with verified giants hitting 18 feet. Lean and mean at 6-12 kg, these lean machines rule the canopy.
Habitat, Diet & Conservation
They prowl South and Southeast Asian forests, feasting on other snakes. Listed Vulnerable due to habitat loss, they're also CITES Appendix II.
Fun facts about King Cobra
- Only snakes known to build a nest: females guard eggs fiercely in leaf mounds.
- Can rear up one-third of body length, standing eye-to-eye with humans.
- Defensive hiss sounds like a low dog growl from special tracheal structures.
King Cobra vs Red Fox: Venom in the Grass
King Cobra's lightning strike and potent venom end the bout before the fox can flee.
In a grassy clearing where forest meets open plain, the 12-foot cobra rises into its signature threat display, hood flared wide. Its neurotoxic venom can fell large prey in minutes, and the snake's cold-blooded patience lets it wait motionless for the right moment.
The red fox darts in with quick, clever feints, relying on speed and sharp teeth to harass from the side. Yet the cobra's reach and single accurate bite neutralize the fox's agility before the mammal can land a telling blow.
Habitat overlap favors the cobra's ambush style, and its specialized snake-hunting instincts translate well against any quick predator that gets too close.
In the Field Journal
Reptilia · Grassland · Cost 5
More Reptilia animals · Field Journal