King Cobra

About King Cobra:

• It is the world’s largest venomous snake and an active hunter.
• The main feature that distinguishes the king cobra from other cobras is the possession of 11 large scales on the crown of its head.
• It preys almost exclusively on other snakes, prowling in forests, fields, and villages in the daytime as well as at night. 
• It was in 1836 that a broad spectrum of king cobra species was named as Ophiophagus hannah by Danish naturalist, Theodore Edward Cantor.
• The amount of venom that they can deliver in a single bite is enough to kill 10 people or even an elephant.
• The neurotoxin venom of king cobra affects the respiratory centres, causing respiratory arrest and cardiac failure.
• The king cobras are the only snakes in the world to build nests that are 4 ftx 3 ft and the female king cobras are found ferociously guarding them. 
• The study identified four species of king cobra:
  • Ophiophagus kaalinga: Found in the Western Ghats of southwestern India, this species has fewer than 40 bands on its body.
  • Ophiophagus hannah: Inhabiting northern and eastern India, the Andaman Islands, eastern Pakistan, Indo-Burma, Indo-China, and Thailand, this species displays 50 to 70 bands.
  • Ophiophagus bungarus: Found in the Malay Peninsula, Greater Sunda Islands, and parts of southern Philippines, it features more than 70 bands.
  • Ophiophagus salvatana: Native to Luzon in the northern Philippines, this species lacks bands altogether.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix II
• Threats: Their survival is threatened by habitat destruction and exploitation for their skin, food, medicine, and the pet trade.

Q1: What is Snakebite Envenoming?

Snakebite Envenoming is a life-threatening medical condition caused by venomous snake bites. It is a major health concern in rural and snake-endemic regions. It poses a risk to vulnerable populations, including agricultural workers, children, and those living in tropical and subtropical areas. 

News:‘Kaalinga’ will be the scientific name for ‘Kalinga Sarpa’