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King Cobra

King Cobra

Check out Australia Zoo’s King Cobra!

Introducing one of the world’s most impressive venomous snakes – the king cobra! This snake needs to be seen to be believed so keep your eyes peeled in Robert’s Reptile House, right here at Australia Zoo.

 

King Cobra looking at the camera close up with their tongue out.

 

The king cobra is found throughout parts of India, southern China and the Philippines and much of south-east Asia. They inhabit bamboo thickets and rainforest. These giant reptiles are the longest venomous snake in the world and are at the top of the food chain! A cobra’s eyesight is much better than most snakes and they can spot incoming threats from up to 100 metres (109 yards) away. When feeling threatened they will make an intimidating, low growling sound and raise their head over 1.2 metres (4 feet) off the ground, expanding their neck hood in order to look big and scary. If that fails to deter their predators, they will then strike at rapid speeds and deliver a potentially fatal bite. Crikey!

 

King Cobra Snake with front raised off the ground looking at the camera.

 

Cobras are often spotted during the daylight hours patrolling the ground or forest canopy in search of their cold-blooded prey. Snakes are their meal of choice! Cobras are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. These snakes are one of the only species that will build a nest using leaves and branches. The female will fiercely protect her nest during the incubation period! Cobras are truly AWESOME!

 

King Cobra Snake with front raised off the ground twisted to look to the side.

 

Sadly, king cobras are threatened by rapid habitat destruction and illegal poaching for skins, meat and Chinese medicines. They are currently considered a vulnerable species.

  • Class of animal icon
    Class

    Reptilia

  • Genus of animal icon
    Genus

    Ophiophagus

  • Species of animal icon
    Species

    hannah

  • height of animal icon
    Length

    Up to 5.7 metres

  • weight of animal icon
    Weight

    Over 10 kilograms

  • diet of animal icon
    Diet

    Carnivore

  • gestation of animal icon
    Incubation

    Approx. 50 - 80 days

  • threatened species status of animal icon
    Status

    Vulnerable