Is a king cobra a reptile?

Are king cobras venomous?

King cobras are large venomous snakes native to India and Southeast Asia. Like many other cobra species, they are well known and easily identified by the flattened skin on either sides of their heads. When threatened, cobras spread this skin to appear more intimidating.

What makes a king cobra different from other snakes?

This is called sexual dimorphism. This is unique because it is highly unusual for male snakes to be larger than female snakes. In most species, the opposite is true! Ophiophagy – King cobras are ophiophagous, this means that their primary diet is snakes. They will even eat other venomous snakes!

What is the scientific name of King Cobra?

Their generic name ‘ Ophiophagus ‘ is a word derived from Greek, and means “snake-eater”. This is in reference to the fact that the main diet of the king cobra is other snakes. These snakes can include rat snakes, pythons, and even other venomous snakes.

What is another name for a king cobra?

Alternative Titles: Ophiophagus hannah, hamadryad. King cobra, (Ophiophagus hannah), also called hamadryad, the world’s largest venomous snake, found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia.

Are king cobras male or female snakes?

This is unique because it is highly unusual for male snakes to be larger than female snakes. In most species, the opposite is true! Ophiophagy – King cobras are ophiophagous, this means that their primary diet is snakes. They will even eat other venomous snakes!

What kind of snake is a Cobra?

The common name ‘cobra’ is applied to about 30 species of snakes in 7 genera (Aspidelaps, Boulengerina, Hemachatus, Naja, Ophiophagus, Pseudohaje and Walterinnesia) within the family Elapidae. The taxonomy of some species is unclear.

How many types of Cobras exist?

The common name ‘cobra’ applies to 30 species in 7 genera within the family Elapidae, all of which can produce a hood when threatened. All cobra species are venomous. As a group, cobras have an extensive distribution over large parts of Africa, Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Are king cobras and Indian cobras the same?

The Indian cobra (or Indian spectacled cobra, Naja naja) was formerly considered a single species with much the same distribution as the king cobra. Recently, however, biologists have discovered that nearly a dozen species exist in Asia, some being venom spitters and others not. They vary both in size.

Which Cobras are on the live import list?

Six cobra species are listed on the ‘Live Import List’: Naja haje (banded Egyptian cobra), Naja melanoleuca (forest cobra), Naja naja (Indian cobra), Naja nigricollis (black-necked spitting cobra), Naja nivea (cape cobra) and Ophiophagus hannah (king cobra).

Why is the king cobra a protected species?

King cobras are also persecuted by humans who fear their menacing reputation. In Vietnam, the king cobra is a protected species.

How do king cobras kill their prey?

King cobra kill their prey by biting them using the fangs and inject venom in their body and weight for them to die while the python snake constricts its prey until it dies. King cobra feed on cold-blooded animals and other snakes while python snake feed on big animals like pigs and antelopes.

What is a king cobra’s scientific name?

A king cobra’s scientific name is Ophiophagus hannah. The Greek word Ophiophagus means snake eating and Hannah is a reference to a Greek myth about tree-dwelling fairies. The king cobra eats other snakes and lives a lot of its life in trees. It sometimes goes by the name hamadryad.

What are the different types of king cobra snakes?

A few of the 20 subspecies of this snake include the forest cobra, the Ashe’s spitting cobra, the Mozambique cobra, and the Indian cobra. A king cobra is an animal with a smooth body that is covered in yellow, brown, green, and black scales. It has a chevron pattern of color running down the back of its neck.

Why King Cobra is the national reptile of India?

The king cobra is a prominent symbol in the mythology and folk traditions of India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It is the national reptile of India. It is threatened by habitat destruction and has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2010.

How do king cobras mate and reproduce?

The breeding season of a king cobra goes from January to April. When a male king cobra is interested in a female, it pushes her body with its head. If other male king cobras are in the area, the males wrestle and the strongest one mates with the female.

What is a leucistic King Cobra?

A leucistic king cobra has all the qualities of a king cobra with the exception of its black, green, brown, and yellow scales. King cobras are animals that have two dark eyes and fangs that are a half inch long. A half inch may sound very short for a snake’s fangs.

How many eggs do king cobra snakes lay?

In the wild, after mating is completed, the male King Cobra is to return to its own home, while the female would lay between 10 – 60 eggs. Breeding is to begin when a male and a female King Cobra snakes are to twist their bodies together, commonly standing in this position for days. Before laying eggs, the females wait for approximately 55 days.

How does a Cobra differ from other cobras?

It differs from other cobra species by size and hood. It is larger, has a narrower and longer stripe on the neck. The head of a mature snake can be quite massive and bulky in appearance.

Are all Cobras venomous?

All cobras are venomous, and most are capable of producing a hood when threatened. Here we mention the 10 most venomous cobras as a list. The LD50 value of the venom of these snakes is mentioned beside their names in brackets. The LD50 or the “Lethal dose, 50%” represents the dose of cobra venom required to claim the lives of the 50%

How do monocled cobras adapt to their habitat?

The monocled cobra is widespread across Southeast and South Asia. These cobras can adapt to a wide area of habitats. The monocled cobras are terrestrial snakes that feed on small mammals, snakes, amphibians, and other reptiles. The snakes when threatened get ready to strike to defend themselves.

Are king cobras coral snakes?

King cobras belong to the same taxonomical family as North American coral snakes (Elapidae). Like coral snakes, king cobras have smooth scales and round pupils, differentiating them from vipers such as rattlesnakes. 2) Eat Other Snakes King cobras are deemed ‘kings’ for the same reason that North American kingsnakes are so called.

Is it a king cobra or an Indian cobra?

Not to be confused with Indian cobra. The king cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous snake species of elapids endemic to jungles in Southern and Southeast Asia. The sole member of the genus Ophiophagus, it is distinguishable from other cobras, most noticeably by its size and neck patterns.

Are cobras venomous snakes?

Cobras are known for their characteristic hoods that they exhibit when threatened. Cobra is the common name used to refer to a group of venomous snakes known as elapids, most of which belong to the Naja genus. All cobras are venomous, and most are capable of producing a hood when threatened. Here we mention the 10 most venomous cobras as a list.

What is the genus of a Cobra?

If you check genetics, “true” cobras are members of the genus Naja, but the term “cobra” can describe several species of snake, depending on which of them are parts of the Elapidae family of snakes. Elapidae family includes different snakes like kraits, mambas, and coral snakes.

What is the difference between king cobras and regular Cobras in India?

King Cobras are also from India. no difference BUT the King Cobra in India is different from the standard cobra in India (spectacled cobra)…….because the King IS BIGGER IN SIZE, can eat all other snakes and has higher dosage, and vVvery different Quality of Venom… they are also found in India Ocean Islands SouthEast Asia

What is the genus and species of a king cobra?

Most of the world’s cobras are contained within the genus Naja. This includes Indian cobras, monocled cobras, water cobras, and spitting cobras among others. When king cobras were first discovered, they were thought to belong to the same genus.