Wildlifeof Singapore
King Cobra
Elapidae
Photo: Joseph Ewart · Public Domain
Ophiophagus hannah
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly other snakes; also monitor lizards
Habitat
Forest
Range
Asia, from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia
Size
Average 3.18–4m; record 5.85m
The king cobra is a species complex of snakes endemic to Asia. With an average length of 3.18 to 4 m and a record length of 5.85 m, it is the world's longest venomous snake and among the heaviest. It is not phylogenetically a true cobra despite its common name and some resemblance, and is placed in its own genus, Ophiophagus (Wikipedia, general species account).
A 2024 revision split the king cobra into four species, so material written before the split may apply to more than one of them. It feeds mainly on other snakes and is the only snake that builds an above-ground nest for its eggs (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the King Cobra eat?
- Mainly other snakes; also monitor lizards
- What habitat does the King Cobra live in?
- Forest
- Where is the King Cobra found?
- Asia, from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia
- How big is the King Cobra?
- Average 3.18–4m; record 5.85m