Description of a King Cobra Snake
The king cobra, a venomous snake found in India, China, Malaysia and the Philippines, has enough venom in one bite to kill an elephant, according to the Philadelphia Zoo website. The king cobra has a distinct appearance and behaviors that separate it from other snakes.
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Size
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The average king cobra grows between 12 and 15 feet, but specimens are on record that reached 18 feet in length. This gives the species the honor of being the longest venomous snake on the planet.
Identification
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The colors of the mature king cobra include green, brown, yellow and black, with a lighter white or yellow throat region. The coloration and specific markings vary depending on the subspecies of cobra and upon where the snake resides.
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Function
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The king cobra can flatten out its neck ribs when it feels danger is near and create the illusion that it is much larger than it really is. This hood the cobra forms with this behavior has two dark spots that a potential predator can easily mistake for eyes, adding to the effect.
Considerations
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King cobras have the capability of rising as much as a third of their total body length off the ground when threatened. The snake has nearly half-inch long hollow fangs that deliver its powerful venom when it bites.
Fun Fact
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The male king cobra is typically larger than the female, which is a rarity in the world of snakes. The vast majority of the king cobra’s diet consists of non-venomous snakes that it kills with its venom and then swallows whole.
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References
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