# King Cobras (*Ophiophagus*) King Cobras are the longest venomous snakes in the world! They can grow up to 18 feet long and are known for their beautiful colors and hooded appearance when they feel threatened. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Habitat:** Forests, Grasslands - **Also known as:** Hamadryad, King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah ![King Cobras](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426608/objects/3876.jpg) ## Appearance The King Cobra is a very long, slender snake with smooth scales that can range from olive green to black, often with light yellow or cream bands. It has a distinctive, large hood it can flare, making its head appear wider than its body. Its eyes are relatively large with round pupils. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Elapidae - **Genus:** Ophiophagus ## Interesting facts - King Cobras are the longest venomous snakes on Earth! - Mothers are the only snakes known to build complex nests for eggs! - Their scientific name means 'snake-eater', which is most of their diet! - They can lift their head to eye-level with a tall person! ## Special abilities - **Hooded Warning:** King Cobras can expand a wide hood because of flexible ribs that helps them look larger and intimidate predators. - **Egg Architect:** King Cobras can build a two-story nest of leaves and dirt because of their strong body that helps them protect their eggs. - **Super Sniffer:** King Cobras has a forked tongue that helps them 'taste' the air to find prey and sense danger from afar. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 300-580 cm - **Weight:** 6-20 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-30 years - **Speed:** 19 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 20-50 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding These powerful snakes mostly hunt and eat other snakes, including venomous ones! - **Primary Foods:** other snakes, lizards, monitor lizards, rodents - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Oriental Rat Snake (*Ptyas mucosa*) — A common large snake that King Cobras often hunt in their habitat. - **Hunts:** [Indian Cobra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/indian-cobra) (*Naja naja*) — King Cobras frequently hunt and eat other venomous cobras. - **Hunts:** Water Monitor (*Varanus salvator*) — Young King Cobras may prey on smaller monitor lizards. - **Eaten by:** Crested Serpent Eagle (*Spilornis cheela*) — Young King Cobras can sometimes be preyed upon by large raptors. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme If you see a snake, stay calm and walk away. It's best to leave them alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify King Cobras? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is King Cobras? 300-580 cm ### How much does King Cobras weigh? 6-20 kg ### How long does King Cobras live? 20-30 years ### How fast can King Cobras move? 19 km/h ### What does King Cobras eat? These powerful snakes mostly hunt and eat other snakes, including venomous ones! ### Where is King Cobras usually found? Forests, Grasslands ### How does King Cobras hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Abilene Zoological Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abilene-zoological-gardens) — Texas, US · Zoo ## Watch - [Play video: King Cobras](https://www.snappit.app/videos/king-cobras) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=MvBV62sMwY8) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [King Cobras: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/king-cobras)