Snake (King Cobra) - Overview

Order: Squamata

Family: Elapidae

Species: Ophiophagus hannah

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Population Trend: decreasing

Distribution: Mainland India, southern China, south-east Asia.

Habitat: Dense highland forests, up to 2000m above sea level, usually near water.

Size: Length: average 4m. Record 5.58m.

Life-span: About 20 years.

Food: Snakes and lizards.

Sexual maturity: 5-6 years.

Breeding season: Mates in January. Eggs: 20-50.

Incubation: 60-70 days.

The king cobra kills and eats other species of poisonous snake. It is the longest of all the venomous snakes, and its bite can kill a man in 15 minutes, yet it prefers to avoid confrontation.