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King Cobra

Short answer: The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake, reaching about 5.5 m, with a record of about 5.85 m. It lives in forests from India through Southeast Asia to southern China and Indonesia.

When threatened it raises the front of its body and spreads a hood formed by elongated ribs and loose skin. It feeds mainly on other snakes. In 2024, researchers proposed splitting it into four species. The footage shows king cobras raising their hoods, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about King Cobra?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. It's the longest venomous snake.

    DD-163-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Longest venomous snake)

  2. It reaches about 5.5 m.

    DD-163-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Length)

Video transcript: King Cobra: King Cobras Can Grow Past 5 m Long

The King Cobra holds the title of the world's longest venomous snake. DID YOU KNOW? This impressive reptile is native to the forests of Southeast Asia including India, southern China, and the Indonesian archipelago. Reaching lengths of up to 18 feet or 5.5 meters the king cobra stands out not just for its size but also for its iconic appearance. It has distinctive hood markings and is capable of raising its body off the ground when threatened creating an intimidating spectacle. The hood is a result of expanded ribs and loose skin forming a flattened iconic NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 29.2s Reel ·

Video coming soonKing Cobra · Instagram Reel
King Cobra: King Cobras Can Grow Past 5 m Long Instagram Reel · · 29.2s

The write-up

King cobras can grow past 5 m long. The hood is spread by ribs and loose skin.

  1. Exhibit A

    Longest venomous snake

    It's the longest venomous snake.

  2. Exhibit B

    Length

    It reaches about 5.5 m.

  3. Exhibit C

    Range

    It lives from India to Southeast Asia.

  4. Exhibit D

    Hood

    The hood is formed by ribs and loose skin.

  5. Exhibit E

    Snake eater

    It mainly eats other snakes.

Questions people ask about King Cobra

What is the king cobra known for?

Up to about 5.5 m.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Longest venomous snake) · Wikipedia: King cobra

Where does it live?

Forests.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Length) · Wikipedia: King cobra

What forms the hood?

Spread when threatened.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Range) · Wikipedia: King cobra

What does it mainly eat?

Its genus name means snake-eater.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Hood) · Wikipedia: King cobra

What was proposed in 2024?

New research.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Snake eater) · Wikipedia: King cobra

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What is the king cobra known for?

    1. Longest venomous snake
    2. Fastest snake
    3. Smallest snake
    4. Only flying snake
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Longest venomous snake Up to about 5.5 m. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Longest venomous snake) · Wikipedia: King cobra

  2. Where does it live?

    1. South and Southeast Asia
    2. Africa only
    3. Australia
    4. Europe
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. South and Southeast Asia Forests. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Length) · Wikipedia: King cobra

  3. What forms the hood?

    1. Ribs and loose skin
    2. Feathers
    3. Fins
    4. A balloon sac
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Ribs and loose skin Spread when threatened. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Range) · Wikipedia: King cobra

  4. What does it mainly eat?

    1. Other snakes
    2. Fruit
    3. Fish
    4. Insects
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Other snakes Its genus name means snake-eater. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Hood) · Wikipedia: King cobra

  5. What was proposed in 2024?

    1. Splitting it into four species
    2. Moving it to Africa
    3. Merging it with pythons
    4. Nothing
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Splitting it into four species New research. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Snake eater) · Wikipedia: King cobra

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "King Cobra." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-163, last updated Jan 5, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/king-cobra/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/king-cobra/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-163-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/king-cobra/#DD-163-F01