Quick Facts
- Type
- Reptile
- Size
- 3–4 m long, up to 5.5 m
- Weight
- About 6 kg
- Habitat
- Forests and grasslands of South and Southeast Asia
- Diet
- Mainly other snakes and lizards
- Active Time
- Active by day (diurnal)
- Lifespan
- Up to about 20 years
Field Notes
- The king cobra mainly eats other snakes, including venomous ones.
- It is the only snake known to build a nest and guard its eggs.
- When alarmed it can rear up a third of its body and growl like a dog.
About the King Cobra
The king cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world, native to the forests of South and Southeast Asia. When threatened it rears up, spreads a narrow hood, and emits a low, dog-like growl. Its name reflects its unusual diet: it preys mainly on other snakes. Though its venom is potent and a bite is dangerous, the king cobra is generally shy and avoids people. Remarkably, it is the only snake known to build a nest for its eggs, which the female guards until they hatch.
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