The king cobra is recognised as the longest venomous snake in the entire world. The length ranges from 10 to 12 feet, although the record for the longest king cobra is about 18 feet.
The iconic hood of the king cobra is not just skin but an extension of rib bones and muscles. When threatened, the snake spreads its ribs and flares the hood to appear larger and more intimidating to potential predator.
King cobra venom is a deadly cocktail of neurotoxin that immediately attacks the nervous system and paralyses the victim for subsequent death within minutes.
The king cobra feeds on other snakes, even the poisonous ones. Since their digestive systems neutralize toxins, they are fine in consuming their prey without harm.
Female king cobras stand apart, as they build nest for their eggs. The mother constructs a mound of leaves and twigs to protect the eggs and defends it vigorously until hatchlings emerge.
Despite the fact that it is a top predator in its own right, there is one natural enemy of the king cobra, and that is the mongoose.
Apart from hissing, the king cobra defends itself by growling, almost like the moan of death. It lets a low-warning sound from its throat by filling its lungs and slowly releasing the air.
With an amazing slow metabolism, king cobras can survive for months or even years without water. They don't need to drink water often but absorb moisture through their skin when moving through wet areas.
King cobras have a long lifespan, often living over 20 years in the wild. Their resilience to droughts, food scarcity, and natural disasters makes them one of the most enduring reptilian predators.