Fauna
Reptile

King Cobra

Ophiophagus hannah

Also known as Hamadryad

King cobras reign as apex reptilian predators across Asian forests, hunting other snakes with keen vision and specialized scent detection. Female cobras construct elaborate leaf nests to insulate their eggs, guarding the clutch aggressively until hatching approaches. When threatened, an adult can raise a third of its body length off the ground, flare a narrow hood, and produce a deep growl-like hiss.

VenomousReptilePredator
King Cobra reference1 / 7
Michael Allen Smith from Seattle, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyIndian Cobra, Banded Krait, Rat Snakes
Predators
  • Humans
  • Asian Crested Serpent Eagle
  • Mongoose
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, illegal wildlife trade, and direct human persecution
HabitatsDense primary rainforests, bamboo thickets, swamps, and agricultural edges near water
Life span20–25 years
Classification
  1. FamilyElapidae
  2. SpeciesOphiophagus hannah
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Injects lethal neurotoxic venom in massive quantities; observe from a wide distance and never approach.
Why it is dangerous
Toxin is a potent neurotoxin that attacks the central nervous system, leading to rapid respiratory failure and death if untreated.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for massive length up to four meters, narrow neck hood with subtle pale chevrons, and deep resonant hiss.
What to do
Freeze immediately upon sighting, then back away slowly without making sudden movements or cornering the animal.
What to notice
Large olive or brownish body with faint yellow bands, active mostly in undisturbed primary forest corridors.
Support conservation
Keep exact location details private and notify local wildlife rescue organizations if encountered near human dwellings.
Responsible observation
  • Safe Distance: Maintain at least ten meters of space if encountering an active snake.
  • Defensive Posture: Freeze immediately and back away slowly if the snake raises its hood or hisses.
  • Nesting Caution: Avoid thick leaf litter piles in dense forests during spring breeding months.
Related species
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