Ophiophagus hannah

(Cantor, 1836)

Vernacular names
English : King cobra
French : Cobra royal

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Elapidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The longest venomous snake species known, reaching up to 5.70 meters in length. Unmistakable. Coloration ranges from greyish to dark brown, sometimes with transversal clear bands. Yellow belly with brown markings.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in south-east Asia, from India and Nepal to China, south to Malaysia, western Indonesia (east to Bali) and Philippines. Usually found in dense forests, often close to water, up to 2000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : This species has declined in many parts of its range because of persecution, habitat loss and ongoing overtrapping for the animal trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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