King cobra Introduction

The King cobra is a species of venomous cobra located from India to the southeast Asia. The king cobra is without a doubt the most infamous snake in the world and one of the most venomous ones. They are also one the most intelligent snakes, for many reasons including being able to control the amount of venom that is injects upon bite. They are the longest venomous snake in the world, one king cobra was measured at a whopping 5.6 metres (18 feet), but most do not exceed 3.6 metres (12 feet). The main feature that distinguishes the king cobra from other cobras is the possession of 11 large scales on the crown of its head. Adults may be yellow, green, brown, or black. The back is typically highlighted by yellowish or whitish crossbars or chevrons, and the underside may display a single colour that may or may not be ornamented with bars. The throat is light yellow or beige. Juvenile king cobras are smaller and black. Hatchlings are about 45–55 cm (18–22 inches) long and are black with yellow or white stripes. The king cobra is an active hunter. It preys almost exclusively on other snakes, prowling in forests, fields, and villages in the daytime as well as at night. It is not normally aggressive to humans—bites are rare—but it is hostile and dangerous during the breeding season or when cornered or startled. When threatened, the king cobra lifts the front part of its body so it stands roughly perpendicular to the ground. Its threat display also includes the spreading of its hood, which is just below its head, and the utterance of a low-pitched hiss. In this posture it can move or lunge forward to strike its victim.