February 2004
The King Cobra
Order
Family
Genus and Species
Squamata
Elapidae
Ophiophagus hannah
The class of reptiles known as snakes began to diversify rapidly into
numerous species during the
miocene period ( 22.5 to 5.5 million years ago.) Appearing during
the miocene period were two
important snake families which still exist and thrive today.
They are the Viperidae (vipers) and
and the Elapidae (cobras and their
related species.)
It is generally accepted that there are 14 to 15 families of snakes
which still exist and around 2,400
species which are contained in these families.
The distribution of species is not, however, equally
divided among the 15 families. Some
families have only one species; while the largest family, the
Colubridae( a very large cosmopolitan
family of nonvenomous terrestrial, arboreal, or sometimes
aquatic snakes) has over 1,500 species.
Cobra species such as the spitting cobra shown in the above graphic,
can "spit" their venom over
distances of 12-15 feet with deadly accuracy.
They aim for the eyes and while their victims are
temporarily blinded by the stinging venom, the snake closes in and
bites it's victim...numerous
times, until paralysis and eventual death ensues.
The King cobra, Ophiophagus hannah,
is found in southeastern Asia and the Phillipines. It will
occasionally attain a length of 16
to 18 feet, and is considered one of the world's
most dangerous
snakes. The head of the King cobra is short and
flattened with a broad snout. The body is slender
and tapering with the neck
being capable of expanding into a small hood,
flaring out from just below
the head and extending downward for 6 to 8 inches.
The King cobra's flaring hood is smaller than
other cobras......notice the rather large hood
of the spitting cobra in the above graphic. The King
cobra can stiffen it's body and raise itself
up high enough to stare a 6 foot tall man in the eyes.
The large size of the King cobra is an important recognition factor.
Adults are an olive, brownish
or a greenish yellow in color with the
coloration becoming darker towards the tail region. Most
young snakes are black with white or yellow crossbands. Other
species of the King cobra may be
found in India, China, and throughout the foothills around Nepal and
the Himilayas (A mountain
system of southcentral Asia extending about 2,414 km (1,500 mi) through
Kashmir, northern India,
southern Xizang (Tibet), Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan. The Himalayas have
nine
of the world's ten
highest peaks, including Mount Everest.)
King cobras are active diurnal (occurring
or active during the daytime rather than at night) snakes
and are mostly terrestrial but are sometimes found in trees and even
in water. Although there have
been reports of unprovoked attacks, they are extremely rare.
Almost all attacks by a King cobra
are made when they are cornered, accidentally stepped on, or disturbed
when some unfortunate
creature ventures too close to their nest.
King cobras weigh 13 to 18 pounds with
an average length of 13.5 feet. They
will reach sexual
maturity in 3.5 to 4 years with the mating
season being in January. The birth interval is one year
and the incubation period is 2.5 months.
The
number of eggs laid is between 20 and 50 with
the
usual number being 40. These eggs
are laid in a 3 foot diameter hole which has been excavated
by the female. The young hatch in 2 1/2
months and are around 2 feet long at birth. Their venom
is just as potent as an adults.....there is just not as much venom
being produced as there will be
when they reach maturity. Their diet consists almost exclusively of
other snakes...even poisonous
ones, although when snakes are scarce, they will stalk and eat small
lizards and other reptiles. The
lifespan of the King cobra is
around 20 years.
Although the King cobra's venom is less potent
than some other types of cobra, it makes up for
this by injecting much more venom per bite than other venemous snakes.
Other snakes take much
longer to die after being bitten by the cobra or other poisonous reptiles
because of the slow rate
of blood circulation of cold-blooded reptiles. It often takes
over two hours for the venom to take
effect as opposed to less than 20 minutes
on warm-blooded creatures such as deer, buffalo or man.
Above is a Forest cobra, naja melanoleuca.
This is a large, thick-bodied, black snake from the
tropical and subtropical rain forests of Western, Central, Eastern
and Southern Africa. Considered
by some to be the least dangerous of the African (Naja) Cobras, the
bite of this snake, however,
can be rapidly fatal without prompt intervention. In this particular
species, the cobra bite will usually
cause systemic neurologic manifestations. Drowsiness, neurological
and neuromuscular symptoms
may develop early; paralysis, ventilatory failure
or death could rapidly ensue.
All snakes can dislocate their jaws to accomodate their victims although
it sometimes takes several
hours to completely swallow their prey. All prey
is swallowed whole and digestion is accomplished
by the strong acids that break down food matter as it passes through
the snake.
Although not yet an endangered species,
the King cobra has lost some of it's habitat. These snakes
are also killed for food and for medicinal purposes and it's population
is , more than likely, destined
for further reductions. There could, conceivably, come a time in the
near future when it will be necessary
for governments in Asia, Africa, and other areas where cobras are found,
to enact legislation to protect
these creatures from extinction.
Press play below, to hear King Cobra sounds.