Venomous snakes that rear up and spread a hood when threatened. Most belong to the genus Naja; the king cobra, the longest venomous snake, isn’t a true cobra despite its name.
Quick answers
What is it?Reptile
Carnivore?Yes
Dangerous?Yes
A king cobra's bite is a medical emergency, but it usually avoids people and attacks when cornered or guarding its eggs.
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Daytime
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?In places
King cobras are poached and sold as bushmeat, turned into snake leather and used in traditional Chinese medicine.
At a glance
Found inAsia, Africa
HabitatForest, Grassland
ColoursBrown, Black, Gold
SizeLarge
LengthKing cobra: usually 3.18–4 m; record 5.85 m
WeightUp to about 10 kg (king cobra, males)
LegsNone
Covered inScales
Lives alone
Lives for20 years
Can swim
Lays eggs
In the wild
- Where it lives
- True cobras: Africa and Asia. King cobra: India through Southeast Asia to southern China.
- What it eats
- The king cobra hunts mainly other snakes, including other king cobras.
Did you know
The king cobra is the only snake that builds a nest for its eggs.
The king cobra can deliver 400–600 mg of venom in a single bite.
Often confused with
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