King Cobra Camp
Basic Information
Located
Rainforests and plains of India, southern China, and Southeast Asia
Diet
Rodents, birds, lizards, amphibians, and other snakes
Average Height
10 to 12 feet
Average Weight
13 pounds
Max Age
20 years in the wild, 30 years in captivity
Animal Sound
Did You Know?
World’s Longest Venomous Snake
The king cobra can reach up to 18 feet in length, making it the longest venomous snake on Earth.
The Royal Diet
King cobras are snake specialists. They mainly hunt and eat other snakes, including venomous ones like kraits.
Nesting Mothers
Female king cobras are one of the few snakes that build nests. They pile up leaves to create a warm home for their eggs and guard them carefully.
Growling Defenders
Instead of hissing, king cobras let out a deep growl that sounds more like a big cat than a snake.
Smart Hunters
King cobras can lift one-third of their body off the ground to scan their surroundings and follow moving prey with surprising accuracy.
Tongue Trackers
Their long, forked tongues collect scent particles from the air, helping them “taste” the trail of animals nearby.
Venom with a Purpose
Their venom attacks the nervous system of their prey, quickly stopping movement so the cobra can safely feed.
Mighty Molt
Like all snakes, king cobras shed their skin as they grow. During this process, their colors look brighter and their scales shine like polished armor.