King Cobra

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a large venomous snake of the family Elapidae[?].

The largest venomous snake in the world, it can reach a length of up to 5.5 metres (although around 3.5 metres is more common) and can weigh up to 10 kilos. In colour the skin is black, greenish or brown, often with white or yellow bars. It is a native of South-east Asia, inhabiting the forests of India, Malaysia and the Philippines in particular. It hunts many small vertebrates, notably other snakes, hunting during the day by sight. As it lacks cutting teeth captured prey is swallowed whole.

Unlike most other snakes the King Cobra builds a nest, laying between 20 and 40 eggs in the spring, 2 months after breeding, with the eggs hatching within 60 days.