In ground-breaking research, a well-known wildlife biologist from Agumbe has proved that king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), the longest venomous snake in the world, has four different species.
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.
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