Scientific Name: Ophiophagus hannah. Type: Reptiles. Diet: Carnivore. Group Name: Quiver. Size: 13 feet. Weight: Up to 20 pounds. Size relative to a 6-ft man:. Least Concern Extinct.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo. Share Tweet Email.
Go Further. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. The males of most cobra species perform elaborate dances in order to win the female over from their competition; the largest male is often the victor.
Females lay one clutch of 12 to 60 eggs per year approximately 9 weeks after mating. The ovary releases the unfertilized eggs through the oviduct where the stored sperm fertilizes them before they exit. Some cobras lay their eggs in ground holes or under a natural cover, such as a rock. The females guard their clutch for almost the entire 45 to 80 day period of incubation, vibrating their bodies to generate heat. They leave the nest just before the King Cobra babies hatch. Cobras reach the peak of the King Cobra life cycle, aka maturity, between 4 and 6 years of age.
The average male grows anywhere from 3 to 7 feet in length, but the large king cobra can grow as long as Depending on the species, a cobra might weigh as much as 20 pounds. Breeding usually takes place in late spring or early summer. After mating, the male will return back to its own home. The female will then lay between 10 and 25 eggs. The offspring are independent as soon as they are born and can capture prey the size of a rat.
Breeding takes place when the two snakes twist their bodies together and can last for days in this position. Females wait approximately 55 days before laying eggs. Female offspring are not bigger than male offspring. The King Cobra snakes average life span is about 20 years. The King Cobras venom is a neurotoxin, capable of killing humans.
Their venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes, however, the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite — up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce seven millilitres — is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant. Fortunately, king cobras are shy and will avoid humans whenever possible. King Cobra snakes are fiercely aggressive when cornered or provoked.
King Cobra venom, which is composed mostly of proteins and polypeptides, is produced in specialized salivary glands just behind the snakes eyes. When biting its prey, venom is forced through the snakes half — inch — long 8 — 10 millimetre fangs and into the wound. Although the venom is less toxic than that of many other venomous snakes, including the Indian Cobra, a King Cobra is capable of injecting more venom than any other snake except the gaboon viper.
The snakes eaten by the king cobra are mostly the larger harmless species, such as Asian rat snakes, dhamans and pythons up to about ten feet 3 meters in length. They may also dine on venomous Indian cobras, kraits and even small king cobras.
Breeding usually occurs from January through April. King cobras are oviparous and lay 21 to 40 white, leathery eggs. The female pushes leaves and branches into a nest pile where the eggs are incubated by the elevated temperatures of decomposition. The female remains on top of the nest to guard the eggs, and the male remains close by. During the brood care period, the king cobra tends to be very aggressive toward approaching humans. The eggs of the king cobra incubate during spring and summer, hatching in the fall.
It is possible that king cobras mate for life. Skip to main content. Entry passes are required for all guests, including infants. All visitors ages 2 and older are required to wear a mask in all indoor spaces at the Zoo, regardless of their vaccination status. Fully vaccinated visitors do not need to wear a mask in outdoor areas. Reptile Discovery Center. King cobra. Animals Animals A-Z King cobra.
Share this page:. King cobras are impressively venomous, large snakes native to Asia.
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