Snake Species · South & South-east Asia
King Cobra
The world's longest venomous snake — builds nests and eats other snakes.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
Image: Photo: Rushenb / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
In brief
The King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake — reaching 5 m or more across forest from India through Indonesia and Malaysia. Its defining trait is nest-building behaviour; females construct mound nests of leaf litter and guard eggs — rare parental care among snakes. The IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable from habitat loss and persecution.
King Cobra: At a Glance
| Origin | South & South-east Asia |
|---|---|
| Size | Very large (3–5 m) |
| Typical length | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) typical; exceptional specimens exceed 5.5 m with slender build relative to pythons |
| Lifespan | 10–30 years depending on species |
| Scales & pattern | Olive-green, brown or black body with pale crossbands; hood shows oval or circular spectacle mark on expanded neck. Smooth scales with iridescent sheen. Juveniles show bold black and white banding that fades with age. Hood expansion displays when threatened — iconic cobra posture. |
| Temperament | Elapid, nest-guarding, iconic hood |
| Conservation note | Wild king cobras belong in protected forest — not pet enclosures. Zoological collections and venom research programmes maintain specimens under strict safety protocols. Habitat protection in India, Indonesia and Malaysia supports wild populations; education reduces persecution more than captive keeping. |
History & Origins
King cobras inhabit lowland and montane forest, bamboo thickets and mangrove edge from India through Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. They prey chiefly on other snakes — including venomous species — earning the genus name Ophiophagus, snake-eater. Females gather leaf litter into mound nests up to a metre high and remain nearby during incubation. Habitat loss, road mortality and deliberate killing drive decline across the range. King cobras are revered in Indian culture yet persecuted when encountered near villages. Venom yields support antivenom research — king cobra antivenom is essential where the species occurs. CITES Appendix II listing applies. The IUCN assesses the species as Vulnerable with fragmented populations across South and South-east Asia.
King Cobra Fun Facts
- King cobras build mound nests and guard eggs — the only snake with significant parental care.
- They prey primarily on other snakes, including kraits and rat snakes.
- A king cobra can raise a third of its body length off the ground when displaying.
- They are the only snake species that builds a nest for egg incubation.
King Cobra Common Health Issues
Conditions seen more often in this breed, and how owners and vets help manage them. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — always speak to your vet.
Habitat loss
Forest clearing in Indonesia, Malaysia and India fragments king cobra range and reduces prey snake populations.
Care: Support protected area expansion and corridor connectivity. Report road-killed specimens to local herpetological surveys.
Persecution
Villagers kill king cobras on sight despite legal protection in most range countries. Fear-driven killing removes apex predators from ecosystems.
Care: Support snake education programmes and safe relocation services. Never kill — contact trained handlers for removal from human habitation.
Snakebite envenoming (medical importance)
King cobra bites cause progressive paralysis and respiratory failure. Antivenom is essential and not universally available.
Care: Improve antivenom access in range countries. First aid: immobilise limb, transport to hospital — never cut, suck or apply tourniquets.
Snakes keep ecosystems healthy
Snakes control rodents and serve as prey for raptors — yet persecution and habitat loss remove them silently. WARN publishes these guides to reduce fear-driven killing in Pakistan, Brazil, Colombia and beyond.
