The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a species complex of snakes endemic to Asia. With an average of 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) and a record length of 5.85 m (19.2 ft), [2] it is the world's longest venomous snake and among the heaviest. The King Cobra is the largest venomous snake globally, with venom potent enough to kill 20 humans or even an elephant with a single bite.
This venom mainly targets the respiratory centers in the brain, leading to respiratory arrest and cardiac failure. King Cobra Aggressiveness With all this talk of how dangerous they are, one might think that this snake is an aggressive killer. The truth is, the king cobra is actually a fairly shy and reclusive snake that prefers to avoid human contact whenever possible.
Just take a look at a video of someone handling one of these snakes. Diversity in Cobra Venom Not all cobra species possess identical venom compositions or potencies. For example, the King Cobra, the world's longest venomous snake, primarily delivers a potent neurotoxic venom that can rapidly cause paralysis and respiratory failure.
king cobra, (genus Ophiophagus), reptile genus containing the world's largest venomous snakes. King cobras are found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest venomous snake in the world and is one of the few snake species to make a nest for its eggs.
King Cobra Facts King Cobra Profile The king cobra is an elapid species of venomous snake that is exclusive to the rainforests of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is distinct from other cobras, most notably by its size and neck patterns, and is the only member of the genus Ophiophagus. What is the king cobra? The king cobra-one of the most venomous snakes on the planet-can literally "stand up" and look a full-grown person in the eye.
When confronted, they can lift up to a. The king cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world. Whether slithering on land, climbing trees, or swimming, it's an effective predator.
When threatened or on attack, the king cobra rears its head and creates a hood by spreading its neck ribs. Its sharp fangs are used to bite and inject venom into prey. Its bite carries enough poison to kill an elephant.
How poisonous is a cobra? Not only can this snake reach nearly 20 feet in length, but the king cobra has enough venom in it to kill at least 11 humans, or an entire elephant.