Knowra King cobra King cobra The king cobra is a large venomous snake native to South and Southeast Asia. It is distinguished by feeding primarily on other snakes and building nests for its eggs.
Ophiophagy : The practice of feeding on snakes. King cobras specialize in this form of predation, including hunting other venomous snakes.
Elapidae : A family of venomous snakes that includes cobras, mambas, kraits, and coral snakes. The king cobra belongs to this family, whose members typically have fixed front fangs.
Snakebite : An injury caused by a snake's bite, sometimes involving venom injection. King cobra bites are uncommon but can deliver a medically dangerous amount of venom.
Indian cobra : A venomous cobra species native to the Indian subcontinent, also known as the spectacled cobra. It shares parts of the king cobra's range but belongs to a different genus.
Snake venom : A mixture of biologically active substances produced by snakes and delivered through a bite. The king cobra's neurotoxic venom helps immobilize prey and can cause respiratory failure.
Squamata : The reptile order containing lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians. As a snake, the king cobra belongs to the largest living order of reptiles.
Antivenom : A preparation of antibodies or antibody fragments used to neutralize venom toxins. Antivenom is among the treatments considered for serious king cobra envenoming.
Monocled cobra : A venomous cobra species found across parts of South and Southeast Asia, named for its hood marking. This smaller cobra can overlap geographically with king cobras and may become prey.
Snake predation : The capture and consumption of snakes by other animals. King cobras locate, overpower, and swallow snake prey, including species that can themselves be venomous.
Snake : An elongated, limbless reptile in the suborder Serpentes. The king cobra is a specialized member of this broad reptile group.
Show all 24